WFI Admits Operating from Brij Bhushan’s Home, Promises Office Shift in February

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has admitted that it has been operating from the residence of its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The federation has now pledged to relocate its office to Connaught Place, New Delhi in February.

WFI, which had been suspended by the Ministry of Sports in December 2023 has been functioning from the long-time residence of Brij Bhushan Singh, a former BJP MP and five-time representative, located at 21 Ashoka Road. This has occurred despite an ongoing sexual harassment trial against Singh. A source within WFI stated, "We were operating from a small office in Hari Nagar and were in search of a better location but the uncertainty surrounding the suspension delayed the move to a fully functional office."

The wrestling body assured that it would shift to the new office in Connaught Place by Basant Panchami. "All this confusion arose due to the suspension. We are hopeful that it will be lifted, allowing us to operate freely," the source added. When the suspension was imposed, the Ministry of Sports cited the operation of the federation from premises controlled by former office-bearers as one of the reasons for its action. Singh is facing charges of stalking, harassment, intimidation and making sexually colored remarks following protests earlier in 2023 by prominent wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat.