Sanjay Singh responds after suspension of newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India

Sanjay Singh declined to comment on the suspension of the newly-elected Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), saying he was in-flight when the news broke.

“I was in the flight, I am not aware of the details,” the newly-elected and suspended president of the sports body said. “I still have not received the official letter. I will comment once I have read it,” Singh told reporters.

Sanjay Singh was elected as the WFI president to succeed Brij Bhusan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by various sportspersons. Sanjay Singh is reportedly a loyalist of Brij Bhushan Singh.

Top wrestler Bajrang Punia, who along with Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, had led the agitation against Brij Bhushan had returned his Padma Shri award to the government on Friday in protest over Sanjay Singh. This was a day after Sakshi Malik quit wrestling for the same reason.

The Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) till further orders after the newly-elected body made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.

The ministry also said the new body was working under the "complete control of former (WFI) office-bearers", which was not in conformity with the National Sports Code.

(With PTI inputs)

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