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The Indian Olympic Association has announced 4 July as the date for the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) elections, naming former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court

Justice (Retd) Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the Returning Officer. Sidelined WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing charges of sexual harassment by female wrestlers, completed

three tenures (12 years) in office in March this year with the Sports Code not allowing him to stand for this elections, even if wanted to. IOA joint secretary and acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey

wrote a formal letter to Justice (Retd.) Kumar on 12 June to ask for his agreement to act as the Returning Officer and hold the election on time. "Due to administrative issues in the

WFI, IOA has, in its Emergency Executive Council Meeting held on 27.04.2023, resolved to constitute as AD-Hoc Committee to take charge of affairs of WFI," wrote Chaubey in the letter.

"Now, the IOA has to take steps forward to conduct the elections of the WFI Executive Committee and are pleased to appoint you as Returning Officer to conduct the elections of the WFI.

You may consider appointing one Assistant Returning Officer and other staff to assist in conducting the elections," added the IOA joint secretary and acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey.

According to the IOA's letter, elections will be held at the Special General Meeting of the WFI called on 4 July 2023 with the Schedule of Election required to be drawn accordingly. The

Wrestling Federation has been run by ad-hoc bodies since 18 January, 2023 when India's greatest wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik & Bajrang Punia started their

protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur then appointed an Oversight Committee, headed by MC Mary Kom, to investigate the

allegations against Brij Bhushan, and also run the day-to-day proceedings of the WFI, with Brij Bhushan asked to step aside, pending the enquiry. With the Sports Ministry not sharing the

findings of the committee, and Brij Bhushan's tenure ending on 31 March, the IOA appointed a new three-member ad-hoc committee to on 27 April to run the day-to-day proceedings of the

Federation. Former shooter Suma Shirur, Wushu Association of India President Bhupendra Singh Bajwa were named in the committee, with a yet-to be appointed former retired judge to join them.

Published: 12 Jun 2023, 6:20 PM IST