Gauhati HC stays WFI polls amid wrestlers' protests - Here's why
1 min read 25 Jun 2023, 08:20 PM ISTElections for the Wrestling Federation of India have been put on hold amid ongoing protests led by top athletes over allegations of sexual harassment against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
PremiumElections for the Wrestling Federation of India have been put on hold amid the ongoing protests led by top athletes. The Gauhati High Court stayed the July 11 polls following a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association. The development comes amid growing calls for WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's arrest over allegations of sexual harassment.
The petition filed by the AWA said that though it was entitled to be an affiliated member of the WFI, it was not granted one despite recommendation made by the then WFI Executive Committee at WFI's General Council on November 2014. The document filed against the WFI, IOA ad-hoc body and the Sports Ministry also contended that the election process should be stalled unless their body was affiliated to the WFI and a relevant nominate their representative to the electoral college.
The ad-hoc panel has fixed June 25 as the last date for receiving the names for the electoral college while the while the elections to elect the new governing body would be held on July 11.
The has court directed the respondents that till the next date is fixed for hearing they should not proceed with the elections of the Executive Committee of the WFI. The court fixed July 17 as the next date for hearing.
Elections were initially slated to occur on July 6 before being pushed back to July 11. The polling was to be conducted from 11 am to 1.20 pm with the counting of votes set to start from 1.30 pm. The results were to be declared on the same day.
(With inputs from agencies)
