Today, the Delhi High Court issued a notice regarding the plea submitted by wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawrat Kadiyan  challenging a circular issued by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which calls for the organization of selection trials for the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 and the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier Wrestling Tournament.

Justice Sachin Datta seeks response from the Union Government, represented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, as well as from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the Ad-Hoc Committee of the wrestling federation.

As the counsel representing the Union Government requested time to gather instructions regarding the case, the court scheduled the next hearing for Thursday. The plea urges the court to direct the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to refrain from conducting the national trials as announced in its circular issued on February 26.

Additionally, the plea seeks further direction for both the Union Government and the WFI's Ad-Hoc Committee to ensure compliance of the wrestling federation with the National Sports Development Code, 2011. Moreover, it calls for the national selection trials for all international events to be conducted under the supervision and monitoring of the Court.

The wrestlers argue that the Central Government issued a circular on January 7, which instructed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to refrain from conducting any activities. Furthermore, it stated that any championships or competitions organized by the WFI would be regarded as unsanctioned and unrecognized.

According to the plea, the circular specifies that only the National Wrestling Championships for different age categories, overseen by the WFI's Ad-Hoc Committee appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), will be acknowledged and recognized as sanctioned championships for wrestling under the Sports Code. Furthermore, the plea emphasizes that the circular remains in effect, with the status quo being upheld.

The plea argues that the wrestling federation cannot be considered a "legal, fair, and impartial body" capable of conducting transparent and equitable national trials for international sports events such as the Asian Championships and World Championships under any circumstances.

Case Title: BAJRANGPUNIA & ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS .