The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)’s freshly elected body was suspended on Sunday by the Sports Ministry, citing the fact that the “newly elected body appears to be in complete control of former office bearers.”
The ministry charged that the newly formed WFI committee, led by former chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s close aide Sanjay Singh, was behaving with “blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms.”
The panel headed by Sanjay Singh and supported by BJP MP Brij Bhushan took over the WFI last Thursday after its much-delayed elections were held under dubious circumstances.
Sanjay Singh met Brij Bhushan in his home, which also serves as the WFI headquarters, shortly after his appointment.
The arrangement drew ire from the authorities. According to the ministry, “the Federation’s business is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers.” “Which is also alleged premises where players have allegedly been sexually harassed; the matter is currently being heard by the court.”
In addition, the ministry was displeased with Sanjay Singh’s choice to hold the under-15 and under-20 national championships in Gonda, which is Brij Bhushan’s hometown.
“This announcement is hurried, failing to adhere to the provisions of the said nationals’ constitution and providing wrestlers participating in the said competitions with insufficient notice.”
The statement went on to say: “The President appears to have acted completely arbitrarily, which goes against established norms of good governance and lacks openness and due process. Respecting governance standards is essential to guaranteeing accountability, openness, and fair play. Building trust with athletes, stakeholders, and the general public depends on them.
Wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat opposed Sanjay Singh’s appointment. In protest, Sakshi declared her resignation, and Bajrang gave back his Padma Shri.