Two wrestlers move Delhi HC against exemption to Bajrang, Vinesh

Wrestlers Antim Panghal and Sujeet Kalkal on Wednesday moved Delhi High Court over the exemption given to wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for direct entry into the Asian Games 2023 by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) ad-hoc.

The matter is listed before the bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad on Thursday.

Sujeet Kalkal said that Bajrang Punia was allowed to participate in World Championship without any trial. “I just want that every wrestler should get an opportunity.”

Similarly, Antim Panghal said, “A fair trial should be conducted.”

Both the wrestlers say that trials should be held in a fair manner and the whole process should be videographed. No exemption should be given to any wrestler, they said.

The move of the two wrestlers makes it clear that all is not well in the federation. It gives a hint about the internal biases, politics and other unethical practices prevalent in the Indian sport.