WFI Chief making proxy decisions for Vinesh Phogat, wrestler's counsel tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: A day after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification at the Paris Olympics, her lawyer informed the Delhi High Court that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Sanjay Singh were making proxy decisions for her. Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Vinesh, argued that WFI is "being manned by proxies" and that Sanjay Singh was dictating actions concerning Vinesh.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Vinesh, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, seeking fresh elections for the wrestling body. Mehra noted that the WFI’s elected executive committee was suspended in December 2023 by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, leaving the federation under the control of proxies.
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik also announced her retirement from wrestling following Sanjay Singh's election as WFI president. In an emotional press conference, she removed her shoes and placed them on the dais, expressing her disillusionment with the current state of affairs.
During the hearing, Union government’s standing counsel Anil Soni declined to present arguments, stating that the nation stood with Vinesh. Justice Purushaindra Kaurav directed the government to submit its pleadings within a week, allowing the wrestlers to respond if necessary. The case has been adjourned to September 12.
Mehra requested an earlier hearing date, citing the national interest and the widespread upset caused by the situation. Vinesh, who had made history by defeating four-time world champion Yui Sasaki in the quarterfinals, was disqualified from the gold medal match against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt due to a weight discrepancy of just 100 grams.
Four lawyers in Paris filed a protest appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on Vinesh's behalf, working pro bono. Former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve agreed to represent her at the CAS hearing on August 9, which will determine whether Vinesh will receive a joint silver medal.
The controversy revolves around the weigh-in rules, which require two weigh-ins—one before the competition and another before the medal matches. Vinesh had competed in both the 50 kg and 53 kg weight categories during national trials, conducted by an ad-hoc committee before the Olympic qualifiers. However, the trials were not held in writing, and Vinesh was forced to compete in the 50 kg category in Paris, as the WFI did not conduct further trials after dissolving the committee on March 18.
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TN polls: TVK pushes DMK behind with leads in 83 seats, AIADMK ahead in 54
Chennai (PTI): New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, EC data showed.
About two hours after the postal ballots were counted and EVMs opened for multi-round counting, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged ahead of its Dravidian rivals-- the DMK and the AIADMK, with the ruling party struggling to catch up.
If the trends maintain, Vijay could as well ensure the biggest electoral upset, something in lines with the "1967,1977" wins he had referred to in his campaign speeches.
While the Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai brought the first non-Congress government in Tamil Nadu post-independence in 1967, the charismatic MG Ramachandran (MGR) installed the maiden AIADMK government 10 years later, unseating then DMK government under M Karunanidhi. TVK was leading in most Chennai segments, all considered DMK strongholds and currently represented by the party in the 234-member House.
A poor show by DMK could belie most exit polls giving an edge to it, riding on the number of populist measures Chief Minister M K Stalin had implemented in his five year "Dravidian model," inclusive governance.
According to EC and TV reports, 15 cabinet ministers, including Stalin were trailing. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi was also behind in his incumbent Chepauk-Tirvuvallikeni seat, according to a number of reports.
Stalin was trailing behind TVK's VS Babu by 1234 votes in Kolathur segment. Vijay was ahead in Tiruchirappalli East by over 3,000 votes at the end of two rounds of counting, according to EC data.
BJP is trailing in 26 constituencies and it is ahead in Thali segment alone. TVK is ahead in constituencies including Ponneri, Tiruvallur, Poonamalle, and Avadi.
AIADMK is leading in segments including Katpadi, and Guidyattam and party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is ahead in Edappadi segment by 7003 votes.
DMK was leading in segments including Vellore, Anaikattu and Rishivandiyam.
