Delhi High Court allows wrestlers to challenge Centre’s revocation of WFI suspension

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ruled that wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, among others, have the right to challenge the Centre’s decision to revoke the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also urged the single-judge bench handling the wrestlers’ plea against the 2023 WFI election to expedite proceedings.

The Centre had suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023, citing governance lapses following the election of a new body on December 21. However, on March 10, 2025, it revoked the suspension and reinstated WFI as a national sports federation.

As the suspension is no longer in force, the High Court concluded that the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad-hoc committee—previously appointed to manage WFI affairs—was no longer required. The court noted that no further adjudication was necessary in WFI’s appeal regarding the committee’s role.

“Any party aggrieved by the sports ministry’s March 10 order is free to challenge it before the appropriate court,” the bench stated.

During the hearing, the wrestlers’ counsel expressed disappointment over the treatment of athletes in the country and raised concerns about WFI’s claim that its non-recognition had prevented Indian wrestlers from participating in six international tournaments. The counsel also argued that the report, which formed the basis of the suspension revocation, was not made available to the wrestlers.

The bench emphasised that its primary concern was ensuring India’s participation in the upcoming Asian Championship in Jordan and clarified that the Centre’s decision was not under challenge before it. However, it added that the wrestlers could seek relevant documents related to the revocation of WFI’s suspension through appropriate legal channels.

The Centre’s counsel defended the decision, stating that WFI had complied with necessary measures and was now expected to uphold fairness and transparency. The IOA subsequently withdrew its appeal.

In its revocation order, the sports ministry cited WFI’s compliance as the reason for lifting the suspension, emphasizing that the move was in the best interest of the sport and its athletes. However, it directed WFI to maintain a balance of power among elected officials and distance itself from individuals who had been suspended or removed from office.

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Prominent wrestlers, including Punia, Phogat, Malik, and her husband Satyawart Kadian, have been vocal against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest over allegations of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers. They had previously moved the Delhi High Court in 2024, seeking the annulment of the WFI elections.

On August 16, 2024, a single-judge bench had reinstated the IOA’s ad-hoc committee, ruling that it should oversee WFI affairs until the Centre revoked its suspension.

(With inputs from PTI)