Wrestlers free to challenge Centre revoking WFI suspension: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court allows wrestlers to challenge Centre's decision on Wrestling Federation of India suspension revocation.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (March 11, 2025) said that wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and others can challenge the Centre revoking the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India.

The court also requested the single judge Bench hearing the plea by the wrestlers against the 2023 WFI election to expedite the proceedings.

Centre on March 10 revoked its order suspending the WFI on December 24, 2023, for lapses in governance and procedural integrity by the new body, elected on December 21, 2023, and restored its status as a national sports federation.

The court, while closing the proceedings on the WFI’s appeal against the single judge Bench’s order on restoring Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) ad hoc committee to run its affairs, observed that the committee had to work only till the Centre’s suspension was in force.

“Needless to state, it will be open to any party, if aggrieved by the order dated March 10 passed by the Sports Ministry, to challenge the same before appropriate court,” the court said.

During the hearing, counsel appearing for the wrestlers expressed “shock” over the “treatment” meted out to players “in this country” and objected to the WFI’s claim that due to its non-recognition, the players did not make it to about six tournaments previously.

The court reiterated it wanted to ensure participation of the Indian team in the upcoming Asian Championship in Jordan and said the Centre’s decision was not under challenge before it.