HC asks Centre's response on plea of Arjuna awardee wrestler

The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Centre and Wrestling Federation of India on a plea of an Arjuna awardee former wrestler who as a coach of women's team has been denied financial assistance for special training camp and ongoing international tournament in the US.
Former grappler Kripa Shanker Patel alleged that though he was allowed by Sports Authority of India and the federation to accompany the team, he was asked to bear his own expenses for trip from January 14 to February 1. The counsel for SAI opposed Patel's plea seeking quashing of its decision saying "he is a ruffian" and sending such a person abroad will bring bad name to the country.

A bench of Justice Manmohan asked the Centre, the Federation and SAI to file an affidavit on the wrestler's plea against the January 15 decision of SAI denying financial assistance to him.
Patel alleged that he was victimised as he raised issues concerning women wrestlers who were being denied extra food supplements under the rules.
"Let the counter come in, then only I will be able to decide the issue. The respondents (Centre, SAI and WFI) to file counter affidavit within four weeks," the court said.
The court, however, made it clear to Patel that it will not be able to direct the authorities concerned to allow him to take part in the event as the camp and tournament has already started and will end on February 1.

During the hearing, the counsel for SAI, however, opposed Patel's claim saying "he is a ruffian and fights with others in the training camp. He also once put a gun to his counterpart's head".
The counsel also said that sending such a person abroad will bring bad name to the country, which will be humiliating for the nation.
Patel's counsel said that the "federation's allegations are false and baseless".