Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Plea Challenging Suspension Of Wrestling Federation Of India

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

Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notice on WFI's plea challenging the Union Sports Ministry's communication dated December 24 last year announcing the decision.

In the communication, the Ministry cited “hasty decisions” by WFI and that it showed “complete disregard for the existing rules and regulations.”

Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan appeared for WFI and submitted that no show cause notice was given to the federation before the decision of suspension was taken.

He submitted that the decision taken by the Union Sports Ministry violates the constitutional provisions of WFI as well as the National Sports Development Code.

Krishnan contended that WFI has been suspended without any show cause notice which goes contrary to the principles of natural justice.

“Issue notice. Let a reply b filed within four weeks. Rejoinder if any within one week thereafter,” the court said.

The matter will now be heard on May 28.

Recently, a coordinate bench asked the Union Government to file an affidavit stating its clear stand regarding managing WFI's affairs after the dissolution of the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) ad-hoc committee running the suspended body.

The coordinate bench was hearing a plea filed by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Satyawart Kadian. The court had asked IOA to file an affidavit indicating the circumstances in which it decided to dissolve the ad-hoc committee in March.

Title: Wrestling Federation of India v. Union of India