The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), currently under suspension by the Centre, informed the Delhi High Court on March 7 that it intends to retract its circular regarding the conduct of selection trials for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 and Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Wrestling Tournament.
Noting the statement from the WFI's counsel, Justice Sachin Datta stated that the trials would move forward in accordance with the circular issued by the ad-hoc committee overseeing the affairs of the WFI.
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WFI shall withdraw the circular: High Court
The ad-hoc committee of the WFI had previously announced on February 9 that it would hold trials for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers from April 19 to April 21 and the World Olympic Qualifiers (May 9-12) on March 10 and 11 at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex in Sonipat.
The Indian Olympic Association formed a three-member ad hoc committee on December 27 to manage the day-to-day operations of the WFI after the Union Sports Ministry suspended the national wrestling body for failing to adhere to the provisions of its own constitution in decision-making.
“After some arguments, Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan submits that WFI shall withdraw the circular. The trials shall proceed as per the circular of February 9. Needless to say that the Ad-Hoc Committee will ensure that all the eligible athletes are allowed to participate in the trial,” the court said.
The court scheduled the case for another hearing on April 26.
High Court asks centre, WFI to respond to petitioner's plea
The high court on March 4 requested responses from the Centre, WFI, and the ad-hoc committee regarding a petition filed by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian. They seek to declare the December 2023 elections conducted by the sports body as illegal and to nullify them.
The wrestlers led a protest at Jantar Mantar last year, demanding the arrest of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of seven women grapplers.
The petition argued that the WFI elections held on December 21, 2023, violated the Sports Code and requested the federation to refrain from any wrestling-related activities.
The petition also urged the Centre and WFI's ad-hoc committee to ensure compliance with the National Sports Development Code, 2011, and to conduct national selection trials for all international events under court supervision and monitoring.
Sanjay Singh elected as WFI's new president
During the election, Sanjay Kumar Singh, a trusted ally of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, secured the position of the new president of the WFI.
"The petitioner prays the court may be pleased to set aside and declare elections held by R2/WFI on December 21, 2023 as illegal and void ab-initio since the same has been held in blatant violation of the sports code," the petition said.
Petitioners alleged WFI's wrongdoings
The petitioners have alleged several wrongdoings by the WFI.
"The present writ petition is being filed by the petitioners inter alia assailing, challenging, and seeking directions against the illegal action of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India conducting selection trials for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 and Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Wrestling Tournament notified through its circular dated February 26, 2024 against the directives of the ad-hoc Committee for Wrestling Federation of India," the petition said.
"The petitioners would like to place on record that apart from them, there are many other athletes/wrestlers who are also facing similar harassment owing to their upright/honest stand against respondent no. 2/WFI and its officials over the illegalities by respondent no.2 in collusion and under instructions of respondent no. 2's/WFI former President and member of Parliament from Kaiserganj constituency namely Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.”
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Wrestlers allege WFI silencing tactics
The petitioners have alleged that the WFI is attempting to silence and marginalise them, affecting their chances of participating in international events.
"Every possible means have been deployed by respondent no. 2/WFI to muffle the voices of the protesting petitioners and deprive them from any future scope of participation at the international level irrespective of their merit and competence," it added.
The petitioners have requested the ad-hoc committee to either continue overseeing the daily operations and administration of the WFI or, as an alternative, appoint a retired Supreme Court judge as an administrator to assume control of the wrestling body's affairs and management.
The petition alleges that the WFI has repeatedly violated directives from the Sports Ministry and the ad-hoc committee, negatively impacting the career opportunities of Indian wrestlers.
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