Wrestling Federation of India Elections Scheduled for Dec 21, Results Expected Same Day

New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections, long overdue, are now set for December 21, with results expected on the same day, according to the returning officer, Justice (retd) MM Kumar.

The elections, originally scheduled for August 12, were delayed by a stay order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has since been lifted by the Supreme Court. The entire process will adhere to the electoral list finalized on August 7, preventing a restart.

The WFI, currently under the management of an IOA-constituted ad-hoc panel, faced suspension by the international federation, United World Wrestling, for failing to conduct timely elections. The delay is attributed to court cases and the suspension of the federation following allegations of sexual harassment against WFI head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Notably, wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, protested at Jantar Mantar against the alleged harassment.

The polling venue is Olympic Bhawan, and the agenda remains consistent with the notice issued on July 21, 2023. The election outcome is contingent upon the resolution of a pending writ petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court’s intervention has paved the way for the much-anticipated elections, crucial for resolving the ongoing challenges faced by Indian wrestling on the international stage.