Scandal-hit Indian wrestling federation's suspension lifted

Wrestling's top global governing body has lifted its suspension of India's wrestling federation, six months after sanctioning it for failing to hold timely elections following a sexual harassment scandal.

Several wrestlers accused the Wrestling Federation of India's former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, 67, of sexual misconduct and harassment last year.

Three of the sport's top Indian stars, including Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and world champion Vinesh Phogat, led a weeks-long sit-in protest in New Delhi demanding Singh's ouster.

United World Wrestling (UWW) said in a Tuesday statement that it had decided to lift the suspension on February 9 under certain conditions, including the assurance that all wrestlers would be treated "without any discrimination".

"This non-discrimination includes the three athletes who protested against alleged wrongdoings by the former president," it said.

The end of the suspension was also conditional on a new election for the WFI's athletes' commission by July.

The decision will allow Indian wrestlers to again compete in international tournaments under the national flag.

But WFI's status remains unclear as India's sports ministry had issued its own suspension in December, on the grounds that the federation's board was apparently still controlled by former office bearers.

A close aide of Singh was elected to replace him during a December vote.

Singh, also a lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, was charged with sexual harassment and stalking after the allegations against him became public.

He denies all charges, claiming he is a victim of a conspiracy to force him out of parliament, and has been released on bail.

The public protest campaign against him culminated with the detention of several wrestlers when they attempted to march on parliament.