The date of the delayed Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) election is expected to be announced after December 8, which is is the cut-off date for inclusion in the electoral college list that was released earlier this year.
The Supreme Court has lifted the stay on the judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It allowed the process to be initiated for the election of the new governing body of the WFI.
The WFI has been suspended by the sports ministry after allegations of sexual misconduct were made by top Indian boxers against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh. An IOA-appointed Ad-hoc Panel, headed by the Wushu association of India (WASSU) chief Bhupender Singh Bajwa.
Wrestlers’ protest
For more than two months, several Olympic medal-winning wrestlers staged a sit-in. It included wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. They staged the sit-in at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital to protest alleged harassment of female wrestlers by Brij Bhushan.
The election, which was scheduled to take place in July, was postponed due to court cases. The WFI was also suspended by the United World Wrestling for not holding fresh polls within the set time limit.
Since the national body has been suspended, Indian wrestlers continue to compete in international tournaments under the banner of UWW.
“The way is paved for holding elections of WFI which were stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 11, just a day before the date fixed for holding elections,” a statement from the office of the returning officer said, according to news agency PTI.
Also Read: Six women wrestlers file written complaints against Brij Bhushan Singh
“Returning officer asked Mr Bajwa to inform if there is any change in the electoral college already notified on 25.07.2023… he was asked to provide this information at the earliest. Mr Bajwa sought one week time. Let complete information be furnished within 5 days i.e. on or before 8th December so that final notification for holding elections be issued,” said the statement issued by assistant returning officer Tapas Bhattacharya.
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