New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is scheduled to hold its elections on July 6 amidst an ongoing protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the current chief of WFI. The newly-appointed returning officer for the WFI elections, Mahesh Mittal Kumar, announced this in a statement on Tuesday. The nomination filing process will commence on June 19.
According to an official statement from the returning officers’ office. Mahesh Mittal Kumar has taken up his new role as Returning Officer. Appointed by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to conduct WFIs Executive Committee elections. This decision showcases IOA’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and just electoral process. The Wrestling Federation of India is an affiliate of the Indian Olympic Association.
In response to the allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Indian Olympic Association formed a three-member ad hoc committee on April 27 as mandated by the Sports Ministry. The committee appointed two members to oversee the day-to-day activities of WFI and select wrestlers for international events during the interim period.
Recently, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia met with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and stated that the government has assured that the ongoing investigation by the Delhi Police against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be completed before June 15. Bajrang Punia, along with Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers, has been protesting in the national capital since the beginning of the year, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment.
The appointment of Mahesh Mittal Kumar as the returning officer for the Wrestling Federation of India elections was confirmed by Kalyan Chaubey, the Joint Secretary and Acting CEO of the Indian Olympic Association. In an official letter, Kumar was also authorized to appoint an Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) and additional staff to assist him in conducting the elections.