Delhi HC seeks response from Ministry of Sports in WFI suspension case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, 9 April sought the response of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs on a plea by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenging its suspension.

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued a notice to the Central government, granting four weeks to file a response.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on 28 May.

The WFI was suspended by the Central government on 24 December, 2023, following the election of Sanjay Singh, a close aide of its former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as its President.

The suspension led to the dissolution of the Ad Hoc committee constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for the WFI, argued that the suspension violated principles of natural justice and the National Sports Code of India, 2011. He contended that the government failed to issue a show cause notice before suspending the WFI, as mandated by the National Sports Code.

The plea stated that the WFI had conducted elections on 21 December, 2023, with observers from various sports bodies present. "Despite this, the Sports Ministry suspended the WFI on frivolous grounds, allegedly without proper notice or opportunity to be heard."

Moreover, the WFI maintained that it had addressed all concerns raised by the Ministry during the General Council meeting on 21 December, 2023, and had subsequently replied to it on 26 December, 2023, but received no response. The WFI's petition contends that the Ministry's actions not only violated principles of natural justice but also disregarded the WFI's compliance with its obligations.