Days after global body's ultimatum, WFI polls on July 4
The elections for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) will reportedly be held on July 4, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has begun preparations for the polls. This comes after the United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport, threatened to suspend the WFI and gave it an ultimatum of 45 days to hold elections last month.
Why does this story matter?
A group of prominent wrestlers has accused WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing, stalking, and intimidating them. They have been demanding Singh's removal from the WFI's top post. Singh is an MP of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been accused of protecting him. Meanwhile, farmers, khaps, and opposition officials have extended their support to the protesting wrestlers.
Former J&K HC Chief Justice MM Kumar made returning officer
The IOA has appointed former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer for the election of the wrestling body's executive committee. Kumar is allowed to appoint one assistant returning officer and other staff to assist in conducting the elections. Kumar currently serves as the chairperson of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
UWW expressed 'disappointment' over lack of probe results
Last month, the Delhi Police detained protesters while they were trying to march to the new Parliament during its inauguration to call attention to their demand. The UWW condemned the detention of protesting wrestlers and expressed "disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations."
Singh has been WFI chief for nearly 10 years
Notably, 66-year-old Singh has been the WFI chief for nearly 10 years. On Sunday, he announced his bid for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Singh's son, Prateek Bhushan Singh, is a lawmaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly from the Gonda Sadar constituency and also an official at the WFI. Apart from Singh, WFI's former assistant secretary, Vinod Tomar, is also an accused.
International referee claimed to have witnessed Singh's inappropriate behavior
The Delhi Police is expected to submit their investigation report before a trial court on Thursday. Earlier, international wrestling referee Jagbir Singh claimed that he witnessed Singh's inappropriate behavior toward female wrestlers on several occasions, including during the Asian Wrestling Championships trials last year.
