The Delhi High Court has taken action on Wednesday regarding a plea filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) against the suspension of its elected executive committee (EC) by the Union sports ministry. The court has asked the ministry to respond within four weeks, and the matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 28. This notice comes just a day before another bench is set to hear a plea by four wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia, urging the ministry not to revoke WFI's suspension.
WFI approached the Delhi High Court seeking to overturn the ministry's communication of December 24, which restrained WFI's EC from carrying out any administrative activities. The ministry's decision was triggered by WFI President Sanjay Singh's announcement of under-15 and under-20 nationals in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda, which was deemed "hasty" and in violation of WFI's constitution.
The ministry highlighted several violations of WFI's constitution by its EC, including the absence of WFI secretary general Prem Chand Lochab from the meeting where the decision to hold the nationals was made. Lochab, along with senior vice-president Devender Kadian, belongs to the protesting wrestlers' camp.
Additionally, the ministry directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form an ad hoc committee to manage WFI's affairs, including athlete selection and participation in international events. However, the IOA dissolved this committee on March 18, citing the lifting of WFI's ban by the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the successful completion of selection trials by the ad hoc committee.
The legal proceedings underscore the ongoing dispute between WFI and the sports ministry over administrative matters, with both sides seeking resolution through judicial intervention.
