The Centre earlier suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, citing governance and procedural lapses by the newly elected body, which took office on December 21, 2023. However, on March 10, 2024, the government revoked this suspension and reinstated WFI’s status as a national sports federation.
New Delhi, March 11 – The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stated that top wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik could challenge the Centre’s decision to revoke the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
A bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also urged the single judge, who is currently hearing the wrestlers’ plea against the 2023 WFI elections, to speed up the proceedings.
The Centre earlier suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, citing governance and procedural lapses by the newly elected body, which took office on December 21, 2023. However, on March 10, 2024, the government revoked this suspension and reinstated WFI’s status as a national sports federation.
The High Court bench closed the proceedings on WFI’s appeal against the single judge’s order, which had reinstated the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee to manage WFI’s affairs. The court noted that the ad-hoc committee was only meant to operate until the Centre’s suspension remained in force.
ALSO READ: Delhi HC Grants More Time to Centre to Respond to WFI’s Plea Against Suspension
Referring to the Centre’s recent decision, the court stated that there was no further need to continue with WFI’s appeal.
The bench remarked,
“Needless to state, it will be open to any party, if aggrieved by the order dated March 10 passed by the sports ministry, to challenge the same before appropriate court.”
During the hearing, the counsel representing the wrestlers expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the players were being treated.
Highlighting their concerns, the counsel said, “Shock” over the “treatment” meted out to players “in this country.”
They also objected to WFI’s claim that due to its suspension, Indian wrestlers missed around six international tournaments.
The counsel added, “Everything they have done in the order is what I was preempting on the last occasion.”
Further concerns were raised about the transparency of the process, stating that “The report of the spot inspection which formed the basis of the revocation was not available to them.”
The court emphasized its focus on ensuring that the Indian wrestling team participates in the upcoming Asian Championship in Jordan. It clarified that the Centre’s decision to revoke the suspension was not being contested in the current proceedings.
However, the bench noted that wrestlers could take legal steps to obtain the “supporting documents” related to the revocation decision.
The Centre’s counsel informed the court that the decision to lift the WFI’s suspension was made on March 10, 2024, after reviewing compliance measures taken by WFI.
The counsel said, “Certain directions were issued to the federation to ensure the continuing obligation to ensure fairness and transparency.”
It was also mentioned that wrestlers like Punia, Phogat, and Malik have the option to challenge the decision if they feel aggrieved.
“Remedies were available to Punia and others if they were aggrieved,”
the counsel added.
Following this, the IOA decided to withdraw its appeal.
In its revocation order, the Ministry of Sports highlighted that WFI had taken appropriate compliance measures, leading to the lifting of the suspension “in the larger interest of the sport and athletes.”
However, the ministry also set out some conditions for WFI, such as:
- Maintaining balance of power among elected office bearers.
- Distancing itself from officials who are suspended or terminated.
ALSO READ: Delhi HC Seeks Clarity from Centre on WFI Management, After IOA Committee Dissolution
Celebrated wrestlers like Punia, Phogat, Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian have been demanding the arrest of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Singh is accused of sexually harassing seven women wrestlers. The group also approached the High Court in 2024, seeking to nullify the WFI elections, calling them illegal.
On August 16, 2024, the single judge had restored the IOA’s ad-hoc committee to oversee WFI’s operations.
The court stated that “till the sports ministry’s suspension order was not recalled, it was necessary for the committee to manage the federation’s affairs.”
