After a sexual harassment scandal, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) faced another setback when the sports ministry suspended it and removed a new group of officers it had elected. The ministry took these actions after the federation elected a president who was supported by the previous president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Singh has denied any wrongdoing and is currently out on bail.
The sports ministry stated in a letter that the newly elected body seems to be under the control of the former office bearers. It also mentioned that the federation’s business is being run from premises controlled by the former office bearers. The ministry declined to comment further on the matter. Singh and his successor, Sanjay Singh, were not available for comment on Monday.
Sanjay Singh, who is unrelated to the other Singh, told Reuters TV partner ANI that “the previous president has announced his retirement from wrestling administration.” He urged others to move on and not let it impact the future of the wrestlers.
The WFI is currently suspended by the global governing body of the sport, the United World Wrestling, for failing to hold the election on time. Additionally, a top female wrestler has quit the game in protest of the election outcome. Singh, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, was seen celebrating the victory of his loyalist.
In the letter, the ministry urged the Indian Olympic Association to establish an ad hoc committee to manage the federation, citing “serious concerns” about the “governance and integrity of the WFI.” The ministry emphasized the need for immediate and strict corrective measures to uphold good governance in sports organizations.
Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Edited by William Mallard
