HC notice to Centre, WFI on wrestler's plea

The Delhi High Court today sought responses of the Centre, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and others on Asian Games silver medalist Amit Kumar Dhankar's plea against shortlisting of wrestlers for Glasgow Commonwealth Games allegedly without holding any trials.
A bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul also directed WFI to inform it on next date of hearing "whether any trials for 65 kg freestyle category in wrestling have been conducted" and listed the matter for June 23.
"I will issue notice. Let the other side come. Let's hear them too. Notice to the respondents. Returnable on Monday, June 23," the judge said, adding that the petitioner will have to show that holding of trials is statutory or mandatory.

Amit, who wishes to participate in 65 kg category, moved the court alleging that WFI has arbitrarily shortlisted wrestlers for the Glasgow games without conducting any trials.
According to his plea, WFI has selected London Olympics bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt in the 65kg after Federation Internationale des Luttes Associees (FILA), the governing body of wrestling, introduced changes in the weight categories without holding any trials.
During the day's proceedings, Amit's counsel argued before the court that trials need to be held to decide who should be sent for the games.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3.