Legal

Delhi High Court Disposes Of WFI Petition; Restores Recognition

The Delhi High Court has disposed of the petition filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), following a significant update in the case.

During the hearing, advocate Jayant Mehta, representing the Sports Ministry, informed the court that the Sports Ministry had lifted the suspension of the WFI and immediately reinstated the federation’s recognition.

In response to the update, the bench, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, closed the hearing.

Mehta also conveyed the Sports Ministry’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted participation of Indian wrestlers in international competitions, highlighting the importance of timely decisions to allow athletes to compete.

WFI Challenges Ad-Hoc Panel Reconstitution

The WFI had previously challenged the order granting the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) the freedom to reconstitute an ad hoc panel to manage the federation’s affairs.

The court had earlier expressed concern over the absence of a competent body to select wrestlers for international events, calling the situation ‘painful’.

Also Read: Court Allows Christian Michel To Renew Passport In AgustaWestland Scam Case

The case stemmed from a petition filed by prominent wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyavrat Kadian. The WFI had contested an interim order passed by a single bench on August 16, 2024.

This order stated that the IOA’s decision to dissolve the ad hoc committee was inconsistent with the Sports Ministry’s order, which had suspended the WFI following its elections in December of the previous year.

The single bench had determined that the ad hoc committee must continue managing the federation until the suspension was officially lifted.

Impact On International Wrestling Participation

The court’s ruling clarifies the importance of adhering to the self-recognized structure of the Indian Wrestling Federation, as the world governing body, United World Wrestling, only accepts athletes selected by such recognized organizations for international events.

With the WFI’s suspension now officially lifted, Indian wrestlers can once again participate in global competitions under the governance of the reinstated federation.

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

Elon Musk Slams Trump-Backed Spending Bill; Warns Of Soaring Deficit

Elon Musk, former head of the US DOGE, has distanced himself from President Trump’s support…

18 mins ago

Tahawwur Rana To Appear Before NIA Court In 26/11 Terror Case

Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 accused, to appear before Delhi NIA court today after April extradition from…

46 mins ago

CJI BR Gavai Highlights Judicial Integrity At UK Supreme Court Roundtable

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai urges transparency and swift action to uphold public trust…

1 hour ago

Historic Win For RCB; Beats PBKS In Tight IPL 2025 Final Match

In a thrilling IPL 2025 final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RCB…

8 hours ago

PM Modi Hails Andhra Pradesh’s #Yogandhra2025 Campaign; To Lead Yoga Day Celebrations In State

PM Modi has praised Andhra Pradesh’s large-scale preparations for International Yoga Day 2025, applauding its…

11 hours ago

Servotech Secures ₹336 Million Solar Rooftop Project From Northeast Frontier Railway

Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd, a leading in India’s solar industry, won a contract for…

13 hours ago