The mother of a 19-year-old boxer who died during a State-level competition has approached the Gujarat High Court seeking action against authorities and organisers over her son’s death.

The bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak issued notices to the Union of India, the Sports Authority of India, the Boxing Federation of India, the Gujarat government and other authorities.

The case relates to Karan Pipaliya, a 19-year-old boxer who suffered serious head injuries during a bout at the State Level Boxing Championship held on September 21, 2024, at the Sardar Patel Sports Complex in Mehsana.

Pipaliya died on September 24, 2024. His mother has alleged that gross negligence and the absence of proper medical facilities at the event led to his death. The High Court will hear the matter next on July 7, 2026.

In her plea, the petitioner alleged that organisers violated several mandatory safety protocols during the boxing match. She claimed that authorities did not conduct pre-bout medical examinations of participants and failed to provide emergency medical facilities such as ambulances, oxygen support and life-saving equipment at the venue.

The plea further stated that after Pipaliya collapsed during the match, officials did not provide immediate medical assistance and shifted him to a hospital in a private vehicle, causing a fatal delay in treatment.

Relying on medical evidence, including CT scan findings, the petitioner argued that Pipaliya suffered intracranial haemorrhage due to repeated blunt force trauma during the bout.

“There exists a clear and direct nexus between the gross negligence of the organizers and the death of the deceased,” the plea stated.

The petitioner also submitted that despite several representations to the police and the Sports Authority of Gujarat, authorities have not registered an FIR and have treated the case only as an accidental death.

“The said representation has remained completely unattended and undecided till date. No inquiry has been initiated, no action has been taken, and not even a response has been furnished to the Petitioner,” the plea said.

The petition further argued that the issue goes beyond an individual case and raises wider concerns about athlete safety and accountability in sports events.

Advocate Jugal Bharat Chauhan appeared for petitioner Ritaben Bharatkumar Pipaliya, while Advocate Pradip D Bhate represented the Union of India.