New Delhi: The Delhi Police is likely to file a chargesheet on Thursday in the alleged sexual harassment case against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh based on complaints from women wrestlers. On 7 June Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur met Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and assured the agitating wrestlers that a charge sheet in the case would be filed by 15 June, following which they suspended their agitation.
“Since the minister has assured the wrestlers that the chargesheet in the case will be filed by June 15 (Thursday), we will follow it,” a senior police officer said.
As part of the investigation, Delhi Police has written to wrestling federations of five countries seeking details regarding the alleged incidents of sexual harassment by Singh, but their replies are awaited. Once these are received, a supplementary charge sheet will be filed in the case, officials said.
He said notices were sent seeking photographs and videos of the tournament and CCTV footage of places where wrestlers stayed during their matches. The Special Investigation Team interrogated over 180 people and also visited BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh’s residence in Gonda, where it recorded the statements of the outgoing WFI chief’s relatives, aides, house staff and his aides.
Investigators also took a female wrestler to Singh’s official residence in New Delhi to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the alleged crime. The wrestlers have threatened to protest again if the charge sheet is not filed by the stipulated time.
Thakur addressed a press conference after their meeting on June 7 and said that the wrestlers had suggested that the charge sheet in the case be filed by June 15 and the WFI elections be held by June 30. The wrestlers also suggested that an internal complaints committee be formed. WFI should be formed under the chairmanship of a woman. The Sports Minister unanimously agreed to all these proposals.
After the assurance, the wrestlers suspended their agitation till June 15. The protesting wrestlers were demanding the arrest of Singh, whom they accused of sexually abusing female wrestlers, including a minor.
In another significant decision, the government also agreed not to allow Brij Bhushan Singh, who has completed three terms as president, and his associates to contest elections as demanded by the wrestlers.