Gallantry award for former police officer: Centre assures of positive solution by August 7
On July 20, the Supreme Court had expressed its displeasure over the Centre's non-compliance with a Madhya Pradesh High Court direction to confer the award on Vivek Singh Chouhan
The Centre assured on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) that it will provide a "positive solution" by August 7, 2026, to the issue of bestowing the prestigious President's Gallantry Award on a former police officer. The Supreme Court had criticized the Centre's non-compliance with a Madhya Pradesh High Court directive to confer the award on Vivek Singh Chouhan.
The Centre was given until July 29, 2026, to comply with the order. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court bench that he is working on the matter and expects a solution by August 7, 2026. Mr. Chouhan, who was the station house officer in Gwalior district in 2003, led an operation against dacoits, resulting in the death of two criminals and injury to Chouhan himself.
Despite a magisterial inquiry finding him innocent, the Ministry of Home Affairs rejected his claim for the President's Gallantry Medal in 2019, leading to multiple rounds of litigation. The High Court had deemed the Centre's compliance report insufficient, as the President's Gallantry Medal is a higher distinction than the Gallantry Medal.
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