Supreme Court Lifts Stay Imposed By Gauhati HC On Executive Committee Elections of Wrestling Federation Of India

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted the interim stay imposed on the elections to the executive committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) by the Gauhati High Court.

The division bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice SV Bhatti, was hearing a plea by the Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association against the interim order of the Gauhati High Court. The bench also issued notice on the plea while staying the interim order of the High Court.

The Gauhati High Court in a special Sunday sitting held on June 25, 2023 had stayed the elections in light of the grievance that the Assam Wrestling Association had not been affiliated with the WFI, and hence could not participate in the upcoming elections.

The Counsel for the Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association submitted before the Apex Court that even though disputes between various states have since been resolved, the elections had to be rescheduled again due to stay by the High Court. It was also pointed out that the interim stay by the High Court was extended yesterday. It was also submitted that the High Court stayed the elections based on a plea by a third party.

On 25.06.2023, a single bench of Justice Nani Tagia of the Gauhati High Court had passed the impugned interim order. In this order, the judge directed the Executive Committee of the WFI not to proceed with the election that was scheduled to be held on July 11. The single judge had issued notice to the WFI and the Union Sports Ministry in the matter and sought their response.

In 2014 the WFI Executive Committee under the Chairmanship of Former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh had recommended to the General Council of the WFI that the Assam Association is entitled to be affiliated with the WFI.

Notably Brij Bhushan Singh has been accused of sexual harassment by prominent female wrestlers. He was recently chargesheeted by the Delhi police in the case.

Case Details: Andhra Pradesh Amateur Wrestling Association v. Assam Wrestling Association and Ors, Diary No. 25626-2023

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