The Supreme Court of India has stayed the recruitment of weightlifting coaches by the Sports Authority of Goa after a female candidate alleged bias, conflict of interest, and sexual harassment by an examiner. A full hearing is scheduled in six weeks.

Supreme Court Intervenes in Goa Coach Hiring Dispute

The Supreme Court of India has issued a stay order on the ongoing recruitment process for weightlifting coaches conducted by the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG). This move comes after serious allegations of bias and misconduct were raised by Vaishnavi S. Ugadekar, a female candidate who participated in the selection process.

A bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice K.V. Viswanathan accepted Ugadekar’s plea and issued notices to the Goa government, SAG, and other involved parties.

Background: Allegations of Bias and Harassment

Ugadekar approached the apex court after the Bombay High Court‘s Goa bench dismissed her concerns on June 23, 2025, allowing the recruitment to proceed.

She claimed that a former coach, against whom she had previously filed a sexual harassment complaint, was one of the evaluators for the skill test. According to her, this individual not only harassed her during her training but also lacked proper weightlifting credentials, resulting in a one-year suspension from the sport.

Breakdown of the Recruitment Process

The selection process, announced in February 2024, included:

• A written examination

• A skill/practical test

• A physical fitness test

Ugadekar cleared the physical fitness phase but scored only 17.5% in the skill test—below the required 20% passing mark. Her competitor scored 23.5% and qualified. Ugadekar alleged that her examiner’s personal bias led to her unfairly low score.

Goa Government’s Offer and High Court Decision

In response to the accusations, the Goa government proposed a re-test of the skill and physical assessments using external evaluators and temporarily paused the recruitment. However, the competing candidate challenged this move in the High Court, which allowed the process to continue—without hearing Ugadekar’s side.

Supreme Court Calls for Procedural Fairness

Now, the Supreme Court has put a hold on the entire selection, including the written examination, citing serious concerns about procedural integrity and fairness. A detailed hearing is scheduled after six weeks.

What This Case Highlights

This case underscores the importance of:

• Transparency in public recruitment

• Avoiding conflicts of interest

• Protecting whistleblowers and complainants

• Ensuring fair evaluation in sports and coaching roles

It serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities candidates face in government hiring, particularly in fields involving youth mentorship and physical training.