High Court Halts Wrestling Federation of India Elections Amidst Controversy

New Delhi, August 12, 2023: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stay order on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, scheduled to elect new members for its executive committee.

The court’s decision comes in response to a petition filed by the Deepender Hooda-led Haryana Wrestling Association (HWA), challenging the recognition of the rival Haryana Amateur Wrestling Association (HAWA) by the returning officer for the elections. The stay will remain in effect until the next hearing on August 28.

Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj stated in the interim order, “The election of the Executive committee of WFI is ordered to be stayed till the next date of hearing.”

The conflict revolves around the eligibility of HAWA to participate in the elections due to its affiliation status with the Haryana Olympic Association (HOA). HWA, linked to protesting wrestlers, contested HAWA’s eligibility, leading to a back-and-forth legal battle. The delay in the election process may influence top wrestlers like Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat to rally support for candidates opposing the former WFI president’s panel.

The suspension of WFI by the union sports ministry, following allegations of sexual harassment against former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by prominent wrestlers, has already stirred upheaval in the wrestling community. The stay order adds a new dimension to the ongoing situation.

While the Brij Bhushan camp planned to sweep the elections, the stay has altered the landscape, prompting the camp to consider legal recourse. Punia, Phogat, and Malik’s meeting with union home minister Amit Shah adds intrigue to the unfolding events, emphasizing the significance of the wrestling community’s concerns.