From allegations, polls to suspension, lifting of ban, dissolve of ad-hoc panel

MidDay presents a WFI timeline of the chain of events leading up to the IOA dissolving its adhoc panel overseeing the federation on Monday The WFI timeline charts all the important events dating back from January 18 2023 when the wrestlers began their protest at Jantar Mantar to the suspension of the Sanjay Singhled WFI panel which was elected on December 21 and IOAs subsequent decision to dissolve its adhoc panel on the directives of world body UWWJan 18 Wrestlers begin protest at Jantar Mantar accuse WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation demand his resignation and dissolution WFIJan 20 Wrestlers write to IOA president PT Usha demand the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the allegations against Brij Bhushan IOA forms a sevenmember committee including MC Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt to probe the allegations of sexual harassmentJan 21 Wrestlers call off protest after meeting sports minister Anurag Thakur Sports minister declares formation of an Oversight Committee to probe the allegations Brij Bhushan asked to step aside till the probe is completedJan 23 Ministry forms 5member Oversight Committee led by Mary Kom to look into the allegations OC given 4 weeks to complete probeJan 24 Protesting wrestlers express disappointment that they were not consulted by the government on the choice of the OC membersApr 16 WFI announces election on May 7 after the OCs report is submitted to the Sports Ministry Report not made publicApr 23 Wrestlers return to Jantar Mantar say seven female wrestlers including a minor have filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Wrestlers urge Sports Ministry to make OCs findings publicAlso Read Drama at wrestling trials Vinesh Phogat doesnt let bouts start in two categoriesApr 24 Ministry stalls May 7 WFI elections Asks IOA to constitute an adhoc body to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formationApr 25 Wrestlers move SC seeking registration of FIR against Brij Bhushan SC issues notice to Delhi policeApr 27 Formation of 3member panel by IOAMay 3 Scuffle breaks out between the wrestlers and Delhi Police leading to head injuries to a couple of protesters Protesters accuse drunk officials of manhandling them and misbehaving with the female wrestlersMay 4 SC closes proceedings on a plea by 3 women wrestlers who levelled sexual harassment charges after noting that FIRs have been registered and the 7 complainants have been provided adequate securityMay 5 Delhi police record statements of wrestlers who have filed complaints of sexual harassment against Brij BhushanMay 10 Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to take NARCO testMay 11 Police records Brij Bhushans statementMay 28 Vinesh Phogat Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with other protesters booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty while they attempt to march towards the new ParliamentMay 30 The IOC and UWW condemn the polices handling and detention of the Indian wrestlers calling it very disturbing Wrestlers arrive in Haridwar to immerse medalsJune 7 Wrestlers halt protest after Thakur assures them that police investigation against Brij Bhushan would be concluded and the pending WFI elections would be conducted by June 30June 12 IOA appoints former JampK High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as returning officerJune 13 WFI election scheduled for July 6Jun 15 Delhi Police files charge sheet before courtJun 19 IOA adhoc panel calls five disaffiliated state units for hearing on June 21Jun 21 The IOA adhoc panel reschedules WFI elections to July 11 after five disaffiliated state bodies seeking voting rights for the polls present their cases in hearingJune 22 The IOA adhoc panel reduces Asian Games and World Championship selection to a onebout contest for six protesting wrestlersJune 23 Several coaches parents of wrestlers demand withdrawal of exemption given to six wrestlersJune 25 The Gauhati HC stays WFI elections scheduled for July 11 on a petition filed by the Assam WAJul 18 Delhi court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan Bajrang and Vinesh get direct entries into the Asian GamesJul 19 WFI election scheduled for August 7Jul 20 Many junior wrestlers their parents and coaches reach IOA headquarters demand withdrawal of exemption granted to Vinesh and Bajrang WFI election rescheduled for August 12Aug 11 Punjab and Haryana HC stay WFI elections scheduled for August 12 following a petition filed by the Haryana WAAug 23 UWW suspends WFI for not conducting its elections on timeDec 5 WFI elections scheduled on December 21Dec 21 Sanjay Singh a Brij Bhushan loyalist elected as new WFI chiefDec 21 Bajrang and Sakshi hold press conference where the latter announces retirementDec 22 Bajrang returns Padma Shri in protest against Sanjay Singhs electionDec 24 Sports Ministry suspends WFI till further orders after the newlyelected body announces holding the U15 and U20 nationals without giving sufficient notice to wrestlersFeb 13 UWW lifts the provisional suspension on India but directs WFI to provide written guarantees that there would be no discriminatory action against Bajrang Vinesh and SakshiMar 9 The Delhi HC bars WFI from holding trials It directs adhoc panel to hold trials and select the teams for the Asian Wrestling Championships and the World Olympic qualifiersMar 18 The IOA dissolves the adhoc committee for wrestlingWith agency inputs