Court dismissed! Sushil Kumar's plea for trials quashed by HC

Delhi HC quashes wrestler Sushil Kumar's plea for a trial against Narsingh Yadav to decide on a berth for Rio Olympics

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court yesterday dismissed wrestler Sushil Kumar's request for a trial against Narsingh Yadav to decide on a berth in the 74kg category at the Rio Olympics.

Sushil Kumar

The Delhi High Court also sent a notice to WFI vice-president Raj Singh, asking him why perjury proceedings should not be initiated against him for giving a false affidavit. While dismissing Sushil's plea, Justice Manmohan Singh said, "Though Sushil Kumar is a player with great record, the decision of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) can't be held perverse."

The judge said that the WFI conducted a transparent process of selection and ruled out any interference from the Court. "WFI conducted a transparent selection process. Delhi HC will not interfere in WFI's jurisdiction unless any arbitrary or unreasonable behaviour is shown. Arguments that the trial was held months ago and hence not tenable, are unsound and not accepted," the court said.

"The court said that with the Olympics in August, trials at this stage will affect the mental performance as well as increase the risk of injury to a sportsperson," said Narsingh's lawyer Pramod Kumar.

WFI welcomed the Delhi High court decision. "The WFI selection committee has adopted the same practice this year as it has in 2004, 2008 and 2012, when Sushil Kumar was sent for the Games. Narsingh has performed consistently across last year and he will perform well at the Olympics," WFI assistant secretary, Vinod Tomar, told mid-day yesterday. Neither Sushil nor his coach Satpal Singh were present in court, however, they are exploring further legal action in the matter.

'Exploring legal option'
"Although the court has dismissed our plea, the legal route is still open. We have not read the judgement yet. We are taking legal advice. We plan to approach a double-bench court in the matter," said Satpal Singh. Sushil had filed a petition in Delhi HC seeking a trial in the 74 kg category for a spot in the Rio Olympics team. Narsingh won India's quota with a bronze at the World Championships in Las Vegas last year.

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