HC objects to granting of concessions to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat in the selection process of Asian Games!
Though the continued struggle launched by international medal winners in wrestling Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar recently has finally come to an end but their woes still continue to exist not ready to leave them in tranquil.
Both of them are again in a state of quandary after the Delhi High Court has on Thursday questioned the credibility of granting both these wrestlers concessions in the selection process of Asian Games.
The High Court has while putting question mark on Indian Olympic Committee’s Adhoc committee asked the basis on which both these internationally acclaimed wrestlers were given concessions in the selection process in Asian Games trials.
The High Court Judge honourable Subramaniam Prasad has today send notice to the Adhoc committee of IOA controlled by WFI unambiguously saying that courts can’t be misguided by giving such concessions to celebrity wrestlers asking the credible basis for such privilege to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat.
Kindly recall that under – 20 world champion Antim Panghal and under 23 Asian champion Sujit Kalkal had filed petition in High Court against the arbitrary straight admission ( concession) to Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia opposing it outrightly.
Giving his comment on this alleged favour by the Adhoc committee of IOA, WFI, Delhi High Court justice Subramaniam Prasad asked the reasons for giving concession to both the celebrity wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia adding whether they have practiced any selection process rules and regulations.
He said in view of the existing confusion in the selection process it seems that this is a fit case to be duly heard. The petitioners didn’t have any doubts on the credibility of the wrestlers but they said that the last outstanding performance can’t be the basis of their selection granting them special concession of getting cleared without physically giving selection trials.
The High Court Justice Subramaniam Prasad asked additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma to come to Court fully prepared on next Friday accompanying the prescribed norms to grant concession in the selection process if any – as said by additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma that there are certain norms for the same in its website. The petitioners Panghal and Kalkal have in their petitions catagorically requested to revoke the out of the way selection of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia in 65 kilogram and 53 kilogram categories as according to them this is arbitrary and against the prescribed norms. They demanded the videography of the entire selection process and added that the trails should be conducted impartially and transparently without any undue favour to any player irrespective of one’s stature or past background of outstanding achievement.
It may be recalled that the ad hoc committee of IOA under the jurisdiction of World Wrestling Federation have accorded concessions to Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat in 65 kilograms and 53 kilograms category wrestling trials to be held on 22 nd and 23 rd July . Both these celebrity wrestlers were also in the forefront of hyped media struggle of Jantar Mantar that finally led to registration of FIR against the WFI chairman Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, MP and strongman politician under various, stringent sections of Indian Penal Code.
