Wrestlers turn down Delhi HC proposal to appoint ‘prominent persons’ to WFI to conduct trials

Taking note of the stalemate, Chief Justice Upadhyaya proposed orally, “There’s a proposal…since ad-hoc committee has not been formed as on date…as on today, it is the appellant federation recognised by the worldwide body (United World Wrestling)…what we can do is, we can ask them (WFI) to go ahead with selection and single judge order be stayed but with some prominent persons are selected (to sit on trials and selections with WFI)…Suppose the ad-hoc committee is not recognised by the world body, then what will happen? It will be very embarrassing…it will be a national embarrassment.”

Addressing senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said, “What’s your apprehension? Your apprehension is they will not be fair in their dealings while selecting the team…larger apprehension is they have not adhered to the sports code…we will nominate two internationally renowned players…otherwise we will be faced with a situation that despite all our efforts we may not be able to participate.”

In the post-lunch court session, with Phogat joining the proceedings virtually, Mehra aired that the players have concerns, indicating that they are not amenable to such a proposal.

The IOA had constituted the ad-hoc committee after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) suspended the wrestling body’s newly elected executive committee on December 24, 2023. The suspension followed sexual harassment allegations against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

In August 2023, United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, suspended WFI for not conducting elections, but subsequently lifted the suspension in February 2024. UWW’s revocation, in effect, meant that India’s athletes were allowed to once again compete under the national flag internationally.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for WFI, pointed out before the bench that as on date, the ad-hoc committee is not recognised by UWW, which is resulting in a situation where teams cannot be sent to compete in international tournaments. “Our wrestlers have lost six tournaments and if they lose the right to participate in continental championships, they will not be able to participate in world championships,” Krishnan argued.

The court went on to record in its order that “on account of non-restoration of ad-hoc committee and also on account of suspension order of December 24, 2023, as on today, there is no competent body which can be entrusted with the task of selecting a team and to make other arrangements so that the participation of the wrestlers in international events can be ensured”.

Meanwhile, the central government, represented by senior advocate Jayant Mehta, informed the court that it is in the process of reviewing its own order of December 24, 2023, where MYAS had suspended WFI.

Mehta also informed the court that they are “hopeful” of taking a decision by Monday, March 10, on the review of MYAS’s decision to suspend WFI and would inform the court on Tuesday. He also urged the court to hear the matter on merits.

The court is now due to take up the matter on March 11.