Majority of BFI Units Demand Elections Amid Legal Tussle and Leadership Vacuum

A significant internal rift has resurfaced within the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), with 27 of its 37 affiliated units demanding immediate elections. This development follows the appointment of an interim committee by World Boxing to oversee BFI’s affairs, pending resolution of the federation’s leadership deadlock under outgoing president Ajay Singh.

The BFI’s elected body, led by Singh and Secretary General Hemanta Kalita, completed its tenure on February 2, 2025. However, elections have been delayed due to ongoing legal disputes. Returning Officer R.K. Gauba suspended the scheduled elections on March 28, 2025, following orders from the Delhi and Himachal Pradesh High Courts. These courts directed the inclusion of excluded names in the electoral college, notably former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has further directed that a revised election schedule be issued prior to the next hearing on April 28, 2025.