The newly elected governing committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), headed by Sanjay Singh, has been suspended by the Ministry of Sports. The WFI has been instructed to droop all its actions until additional orders. The transfer got here within the wake of ace wrestler Sakshi Malik’s announcement of quitting wrestling and Bajrang Punia’s choice to return his Padma Shri.

Singh was elected WFI chief on December 21. Soon after, the wrestlers opposed his appointment on grounds of his closeness to the previous, an accused of sexual harassment.

The motion got here proper after the newly elected WFI chief introduced that the under-15 (U-15) and under-20 (U-20) nationals would happen in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda earlier than the top of this yr. Notably, Gonda is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s residence turf.

What Did the Sports Ministry’s Order Say?

As per the sports activities ministry’s suspension order accessed by CNNNews18, the motion has been taken on account of transparency and different points.

The order mentioned that Singh’s announcement concerning U-15 and U-20 nationals was hasty, with out giving ample discover to wrestlers who’re to participate within the mentioned nationals and with out following the provisions of the structure of WFI.

“As per clause 3 (e) of the Preamble of the Constitution of WFI, the thing of the WFI, amongst others, is to rearrange holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at locations chosen by the Executive Committee. Such selections are to be taken by the Executive Committee, earlier than which agendas are required to be positioned for consideration,” it said.

The order mentioned that as per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading ‘Notices and Quorum for Meetings’, the minimum notice period for EC meetings is 15 clear days and quorum is of one third of the representatives. “Even for Emergency EC meetings, the minimum notice period is seven clear days with quorum requirement of one third of representatives,” it famous.

Further, by way of Article X (d) of the Constitution of WFI, it’s the Secretary General of WFI, who has been made liable for finishing up the overall enterprise of the Federation, conserving the minutes of the conferences, sustaining all of the information of the Federation, calling the conferences of the General Council and the Executive Committee, the Ministry famous.

“It appears the Secretary-General has not been concerned within the mentioned assembly of EC, which was held with none discover or quorum. The newly elected physique seems to be in full management of former workplace bearers in full disregard to the Sports Code,” the order mentioned.

The Ministry further stated that the business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers.

The ministry asserted that Singh’s actions smack of complete arbitrariness on the part of the President, “which is against the settled principles of good governance and devoid of transparency and due process.”

“Adherence to governance norms is important for making certain honest play, transparency and accountability. They are essential to constructing belief amongst athletes, stakeholders, and the general public. Further, UWW, the worldwide physique for wrestling, is but to situation official communication lifting the suspension of WFI,” it added.