WFI forged letter claim follows Hungarian Embassy visa checks for purported Indian wrestlers

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Visa requests filed at the Hungarian Embassy in New Delhi have raised concerns of a possible human trafficking attempt. The applicants claimed to be Indian wrestlers going to Budapest for a programme from March 15 to 22. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) later said the supporting recommendation letter was forged.

The embassy asked WFI to confirm the document on Thursday (March 12) after receiving applications backed by a letter dated March 4. The letter claimed WFI recommended 11 wrestlers and one manager for visas. It also cited an international wrestling training and competition programme in Budapest.

WFI visa letter verification at the Hungarian Embassy

WFI said the document did not come from the federation. "This has reference to your e-mail dated March 12 seeking clarification regarding the authenticity of the document... the attached letter is fake and has not been issued by the Wrestling Federation of India WFI," WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh wrote to the embassy.

The federation flagged several errors in the paperwork. It said the letter used an incorrect role for a former office-bearer. "It is also clarified that Mr V.N. Prasood is no longer holding the position of Secretary General of WFI and is currently serving as Vice President, WFI. The matter has been verified with Mr Prasood, who has categorically denied issuing any such letter," Singh said.

WFI forged documents and visa processing request

Officials said the forged letter carried a reference number and asked the embassy to grant visas. WFI also noted the letterhead had wrong details, including an old address. The federation said there were other mismatches across the document.

WFI asked the Hungarian Embassy not to act on any application linked to the letter. "In view of the above, it is requested that no visa process may be initiated on the basis of the said letter, and appropriate legal action may be taken against the individuals involved," the federation said.

WFI international competitions in Budapest and July Ranking Series

WFI said official Indian entries for overseas events go only through the national body. The federation added that the next major event involving Indian wrestlers in Budapest is in July. It named the tournament as the Ranking Series Polyak Imre, Varga Nanos & Kozma Istvan Memorial tournament.

WFI President Sanjay Singh said the case may involve people trying to travel by posing as athletes. Authorities were expected to look into the matter further, Singh said. "We had first received a call from the embassy. We asked for documents via e-mail. Upon checking we found that its all fake. We responded to the embassy immediately. There should be an enquiry into it."

With inputs from PTI