Supreme Court lifts ban on Wrestling Federation of India, gives green signal to conduct elections

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had banned the WFI elections. They have approved the election of the Executive Council of the Wrestling Federation of India.

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The Wrestling Federation of India has been suspended by the sport's world governing body for not holding elections after its chief was charged with sexual misconduct. The elections were first delayed because the Returning Officer was not appointed, after which the Assam Wrestling Association filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court to further delay the elections.

The delay in elections invoked a stern warning from United World Wrestling (UWW), who threatened to suspend the WFI bak in June, if the elections were not held as per the initial timeline. However, the UWW has issued no statement since then.

Earlier, the Punjab-Haryana High Court had stayed the elections of Wrestling Federation of India in August till further orders. Elections were to be held on August 12. Four candidates were in the fray for the post of President, while three Senior Vice Presidents, 6 Vice Presidents, three General Secretaries, two Treasurers, Joint Secretary and 9 candidates were in the fray for the post of Executive Member. 30 candidates had nominated for 15 posts. A woman had also applied for the post of president.

The matter had reached the court regarding the nomination of Sanjay Singh for the post of President. Sanjay is said to be close to former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is surrounded by allegations of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Protesting wrestlers including Bajrang Punia had raised objections against his candidature.

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They also raised this issue after meeting Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. The protesting wrestlers were supporting Anita Sheoran, the only female candidate for the post of president. Anita was a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and a witness in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan. Anita Sheoran, the only woman candidate in the list of Wrestling Federation of India Executive Committee members, was representing Odisha.