Although Singh is currently facing trial in a Delhi court, it is evident that WFI remains closely linked to him. This move contradicts the Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend WFI in December 2023, citing concerns about the federation being run from premises still controlled by its former office-bearers.
Allegations and Previous Relocation
According to a Delhi Police chargesheet, two wrestlers alleged that incidents of inappropriate touching and groping occurred at 21, Ashoka Road, when it was WFI’s official office. Following the Sports Ministry’s suspension, WFI had briefly relocated to a one-room office in Hari Nagar. The federation’s website still lists Hari Nagar, Ashram Chowk as its official address. However, when it was found that WFI had vacated the premises months ago, and a new tenant had moved in.
WFI’s Justification for the Move
While WFI President Sanjay Singh did not respond to inquiries about the office relocation, Treasurer S.P. Deshwal initially claimed that the office was still based in Hari Nagar. When informed that a new firm had taken over the space, he stated that federation work happens wherever it is most convenient, but insisted that Hari Nagar remains the official address.
However, at 21, Ashoka Road, the WFI office was fully operational. Staff members were seen working on preparations for the Zagreb Open, a ranking series event scheduled for early February. They were updating records, processing documents, and printing certificates. The printer table held a bag with Olympic rings and Team India written on it, indicating official wrestling-related activities.
One staff member confirmed that while WFI briefly operated from Hari Nagar, they had shifted back shortly after.
Brij Bhushan Singh’s Continued Influence
Despite claiming to have severed ties with WFI after a meeting with BJP president JP Nadda post the controversial December 2023 WFI elections, Singh’s influence within the federation remains apparent. When asked about WFI’s return to his residence, he refused to discuss wrestling, stating that he only wished to talk about politics, including the upcoming Delhi elections and the situation in Uttar Pradesh.
However, his presence at 21, Ashoka Road suggests otherwise. The office is in the same hall adorned with trophies that had functioned as WFI’s headquarters for over a decade under Singh’s leadership.
A Symbol of Unbroken Authority
Even though he is no longer an MP, Singh continues to hold court at his residence, receiving a steady stream of BJP leaders, grassroots politicians, and businessmen. Many visitors greeted him with traditional gestures of respect, and most requested photographs with Netaji
Singh’s continued dominance was evident during the December 2023 WFI elections, when newly elected WFI President Sanjay Singh, a close associate, immediately garlanded him and posed for victory photos at Ashoka Road. At the time, chants of Dabdaba tha, dabdaba rahega (Dominance was there, dominance will remain) echoed through the premises.
Now, with WFI officially operating from Singh’s residence once again, those words still ring true.