The appointment of a former Chief Justice as the returning officer adds an air of scrutiny to the proceedings, as the current chief of the federation, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, faces allegations of sexual misconduct by female athletes.
In a recent announcement made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday, it was revealed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections will be held on July 4. To ensure a fair and impartial election process, the IOA appointed former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer for the polls.
In a statement released by the IOA, they emphasized the importance of conducting the WFI Executive Committee elections and expressed their satisfaction in appointing Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer. The IOA also recommended the consideration of appointing an assistant returning officer and additional staff to assist in the smooth conduct of the elections.
However, the wrestling community has been shrouded in controversy as BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also the chief of the Wrestling Federation, is currently under investigation by the Delhi police for alleged sexual misconduct following accusations made by female athletes. Mr. Singh vehemently denies all the allegations leveled against him. The Delhi police are diligently investigating the matter and are expected to present their findings before a trial court on Thursday.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a prominent figure in Indian wrestling, has held the position of WFI president for nearly a decade. It is worth noting that his son is a local lawmaker and also serves as an official within the federation, adding an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.