The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is planning to challenge the suspension notice issued by the Sports Ministry on December 24. According to sources, the WFI intends to approach the Delhi High Court to seek the reinstatement of the body, following the ministry's suspension, which was communicated through a strongly worded letter.
“WFI will go to Delhi High Court against the government's decision to suspend WFI," sources told India Today on December 24.
On Christmas Eve morning, the government criticised the WFI, alleging that it was under the complete control of former office bearers. The newly elected WFI president, Sanjay Singh, also faced criticism for not adhering to proper procedures before announcing junior national competitions in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
"Newly elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code," the ministry said.
"The business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers. Which is also alleged premises wherein sexual harassment of the players have been alleged and present the court is hearing the matter," it further added.
Former wrestler Sakshi Malik had previously criticised the WFI for organising the junior national competitions in Gonda, the stronghold of Brij Bhushan Singh. Singh was removed by the ministry due to allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation.
"The decisions made by the newly elected executive body of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) demonstrate a blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms, violating both the WFI's constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code," the ministry added in its press release.
However, sources within the WFI maintain that they have not committed any wrongdoing. They assert that the decision to conduct national competitions without the mandatory 15-day notice period was driven by the aim of preventing children from losing an entire year.
“The new body has been elected as per the National Sports Code and the Constitution of the Wrestling Federation. In such a situation, the decision of the Sports Ministry is not right. If the tournament is not conducted soon, many players will become overage and their year will be ruined," the source further added.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, speaking to India Today, welcomed the decision to suspend the WFI, reiterating their demand for a female president. Notably, Sanjay had defeated Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Anita Sheoran in the elections for the presidential post on December 21. Anita had the backing of the protesting wrestlers, including Bajrang, Vinesh, and Sakshi.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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