The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday said that it will relocate to a new office in Connaught Place next month, admitting that its current operations were being run from the residence of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, reports PTI.
The organisation, which was suspended by the Sports Ministry in December 2023, has been functioning from its previous office at Singh’s long-time residence at 21, Ashoka Road, despite an ongoing sexual harassment trial involving Singh.
According to a Delhi Police chargesheet, two wrestlers had alleged that incidents of inappropriate touch and groping occurred at the WFI office located at Singh’s official MP residence at 21, Ashoka Road, reports The Indian Express.
Within weeks of the action against them by the ministry in 2023, the WFI had moved to a one-room premises in Hari Nagar. In fact, on the homepage of WFI’s official website, the address is still listed as 101, Hari Nagar, Ashram Chowk, New Delhi–110014.
“We had been operating from a small office in Hari Nagar and had been looking for a better location. However, the uncertainty created by the suspension delayed our move,” said a source at WFI told PTI.
“On Basant Panchami, we will shift to the new office in Connaught Place. This confusion is a result of the suspension, but we hope it will be lifted soon, allowing us to work more freely.”
The Sports Ministry suspended WFI after the announcement of Nationals during the election of new office bearers on December 21, 2023. The announcement came with only 10 days left in the year, whereas a 15-day notice was required by the rules, making it impossible to fulfill the regulation. To avoid missing out on a critical year for wrestlers, WFI moved forward with the championship in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
Singh is facing charges of harassment and intimidation, alongside accusations of making “sexually colored remarks,” following months of protests in early 2023 led by top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat. Both wrestlers have since joined Congress, with Phogat recently becoming a legislator.
One WFI official argued that the suspension lacked a solid foundation. “Is announcing the Nationals in a short period really a strong enough reason for this suspension? We are being prevented from working effectively,” the official said. “Even when we try to move forward, petitions are filed by former wrestlers who have nothing at stake now but are hindering the progress of the sport and the upcoming wrestlers.”
WFI also expressed frustration with the difficulties it faces in sending teams to international competitions. Meanwhile, the United World Wrestling (UWW) has warned that India could face suspension if political interference in the national federation’s affairs continues. UWW President Nenad Lalovic made it clear that the world body recognizes only the Sanjay Singh-led WFI as the legitimate representative of wrestling in India.
Lalovic stressed the importance of maintaining WFI’s autonomy. He wrote in a letter on Thursday that UWW would consider suspension measures if the federation’s independence was not fully respected. This letter was also sent to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
In response to the protests by some wrestlers, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandviya stated that the ministry would review the suspension of WFI. This came after a group of wrestlers protested outside his residence over their inability to participate in the World Championship due to a petition filed by Satyawrat Kadiyan, which challenged the WFI’s authority in team selection.