plea-in-hc-challenges-wfi-election-seeks-committee-oversight

A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the cancellation of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) election and the appointment of a one-man committee to oversee the process.

The petition also demands that Sanjay Singh, the current WFI president, be barred from conducting any further selections. Sanjay Singh, elected as WFI president in 2023, is seen as an ally of former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The petition has been filed on behalf of several prominent Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshee Malikkh. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the wrestlers, stated that the petition is aimed at addressing the issues related to the upcoming Olympic Games and the unauthorised decisions being made by Sanjay Singh.

According to Advocate Mehra, Sanjay Singh has been making decisions without any legitimate mandate, which raises concerns about the integrity of the selection process for the Olympic Games.

Advocate Mehra also highlighted that the decisions made by a suspended Federation president, such as those concerning trial selections, are highly questionable.

He pointed out that even after being suspended, the former president continued to exert influence over the Federation’s activities, including procuring letters to sway court proceedings.

This, he argued, necessitates a complete separation between the WFI, under the leadership of Sanjay Singh, and the World Body, as well as the International Olympic Committee, particularly in light of the upcoming Olympic Games.

The petition also calls for the appointment of a one-man committee by the court to oversee the WFI's activities. Advocate Mehra emphasised that Sanjay Singh and other office bearers should be prohibited from making any further selections, given the questionable nature of their recent decisions. The case has been under consideration for 2.5 months, with the court reserved its decision on May 24, which is expected to be announced soon.

This legal challenge raises important questions about the transparency and fairness of the WFI's election and selection processes, especially as India prepares for the Olympic Games.

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of wrestling in India and the athletes’ chances of success on the international stage.