In issuing the interim order on the plea filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian, Justice Sachin Datta noted that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had the option to reconstitute the committee.
NEW DELHI: On Friday(16th Aug), the Delhi High Court restored the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee mandate for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The decision came in response to a plea filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian.
READ ALSO: Delhi HC Seeks Clarity from Centre on WFI Management, After IOA Committee Dissolution
The plea sought to stay the current operations of the WFI and prevent it from functioning as the national governing body for wrestling.
In issuing the interim order on the plea filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian, Justice Sachin Datta noted that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had the option to reconstitute the committee.
“The Court has determined that the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee was unwarranted and has therefore restored the committee’s mandate, as appointed by the IOA in its order dated December 27, 2023. However, the IOA is free to reconstitute the ad-hoc committee to ensure it is a multi-member body, including eminent sportspersons or experts experienced in dealing with international federations, to address any concerns raised by the UWW regarding the WFI,”
stated the Court.
The Court further noted that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) is at liberty to revoke its order from December 12, 2023, which directed the IOA to establish the ad-hoc committee.
“Additionally, it is clarified that the ad-hoc committee shall continue to function only as long as the order dated December 24, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Respondent No. 1), remains in effect. The Ministry is free to withdraw or review this order if necessary. This ruling should not be interpreted as placing any restrictions or limitations on the Ministry’s discretion in this regard,”
the Court clarified.
They challenged the legality of the WFI elections held in December, which saw Sanjay Singh, an ally of Brij Bhushan, elected as the new WFI president.
The petitioners demanded that the WFI cease all activities as a national sports federation until the legal issues were resolved. Notably, the Centre had suspended the WFI shortly after the December 2023 elections, alleging non-compliance with constitutional provisions and urging the IOA to establish an ad-hoc committee to oversee WFI operations.
The United World Wrestling (UWW) body had lifted WFI’s suspension in February 2024, prompting the IOA to dissolve its ad-hoc committee in March. However, the court’s March 4 notice to the Centre, WFI, and the IOA-led committee reignited the legal battle.
Case Title: Bajrang Punia and Ors v Union of India and Ors
