Delhi HC hears petition from wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian on WFI issues. Court directs Centre and IOA to clarify stance post-IOA committee dissolution. Justice Sachin Datta stresses need for clarity, requests IOA explanation on committee dissolution.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 2nd April), The Delhi High Court taken up a petition filed by renowned wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, urging the court to address the issues surrounding the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The court has directed the Centre and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to submit affidavits clarifying their stance on managing the WFI’s affairs after the dissolution of the IOA’s ad-hoc committee.
Justice Sachin Datta presided over the hearing and emphasized the need for a clear stand from the Centre and the IOA. The court also requested the IOA to provide details regarding the circumstances that led to the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee last month.
The wrestlers’ petition, represented by senior advocate Rahul Mehra, highlighted the urgent need for an administrator to oversee the operations of the suspended federation, which has become “headless” due to the disbandment of the ad-hoc committee.
The ad-hoc committee was initially formed in December of the previous year when the sports ministry suspended the WFI. The petitioners, who played a role in last year’s protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the arrest of former WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for the alleged sexual harassment of seven women grapplers, approached the high court earlier this year to challenge the federation’s elections.
However, the court expressed disappointment with the sports ministry’s affidavit, which it deemed “vague” and lacking in addressing crucial aspects of the matter, including the continuation of the WFI’s suspension, the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee, and the subsequent leadership of the federation.
“The Centre cannot be allowed to be evasive. They have to take a clear stand. Today, I want to know what is the system of administration and management (of the WFI) that they have set up,”
– Justice Datta remarked.
The court emphasized the significance of the federation’s decision-making powers, particularly in relation to crucial matters such as player selection. It stressed the need for a definitive stance from the Centre on these matters. In response, the court granted the Union Ministry one week to file an affidavit, explicitly stating its position. The court also ordered the joint secretary and concerned director of the IOA to participate in the proceedings during the next hearing.
Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing the WFI, stressed the importance of the affidavits from the authorities in light of the revocation of the federation’s suspension by the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the recognition of the WFI elections by the global body. Mehra, on behalf of the athletes, criticized the Centre for leaving the matter to be decided by the court, asserting that athletes are suffering due to the lack of effective leadership within the WFI.
During the hearing, the IOA’s counsel requested additional time to file an affidavit responding to the court’s queries regarding the dissolution of the ad-hoc committee. The court firmly questioned the IOA’s lawyer, asking for reasons behind the revocation and the decision-making process. It demanded the filing of an affidavit to clarify these matters.
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On March 4, the court issued notices to the Centre, the WFI, and the ad-hoc committee, following the petition filed by the top wrestlers against the recently held wrestling body elections. The plea argued that the elections, conducted on December 21, 2023, flagrantly violated the Sports Code. The petitioners sought a court order to halt any wrestling-related activities by the federation. They also requested the continuation of the ad-hoc committee’s administration or, alternatively, the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge as an administrator to oversee the federation’s affairs and management.
The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for April 10.
When the court anticipates receiving the affidavits from the Centre and the IOA.
