Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s stand on suspension of WFI

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the central government’s stand in a plea moved by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenging its suspension.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports suspended the elected body of the WFI on December 24, 2023, for ‘blatant disregard for established legal and procedural norms’ and had subsequently asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to set up an adhoc committee to run the day-today affairs of the WFI.

A single judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice to the Centre in WFI'S plea challenging a December 24, 2023, decision which suspended the federation. The HC asked the Centre to file its response in four weeks.

The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28.

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan appeared for WFI and submitted that the petitioner federation has been “indefinitely suspended” without there being any showcause notice issued to it, which is contrary to the principles of natural justice. “Their own notice refers to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. The code itself contemplates a showcause notice which hasn't happened here,” he said.

He said that there is some urgency in the matter in view of the upcoming Olympics games.

On December 27, 2023 the ad hoc body was constituted by the IOA. However, the ad hoc body was disbanded by the IOA on March 18.

IOA'S office order stated that this decision was taken in the light of the “lifting of the ban on the WFI by the United World Wrestling (UWN) and the successful completion of Selection Trials by the ad hoc Committee appointed by the IOA as per the directives of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi”.

The letter stated that there was “no further need for running the activities” of the WFI through an ad hoc committee.