Opposing wrestlers: All eyes are on the Delhi Police as the investigating officer is set to file a charge sheet today (Thursday) in the alleged sexual harassment case filed against outgoing WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The case was registered after some women wrestlers accused Singh of sexual harassment. Top wrestlers – Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and others – protested for months at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding Singh’s arrest.
Government’s attempt to end the protest
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. After the meeting, Thakur addressed a press conference 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 had also suggested that an internal complaints committee of the WFI be chaired. formed by 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.
“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.
If the charge sheet is not filed, there will be protest again today
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.
Lion shows power
Singh, facing allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, addressed a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda on June 11 to mark the completion of nine years of the Modi government amid probe against him. He also did a road show in Gonda.
He was addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda to mark the completion of nine years of the Narendra Modi government. The rally was organized under the BJP’s Maha Sampark Abhiyan for the 2024 elections.
‘Will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections’
The WFI chief also announced that he would contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections once again from his Kaiserganj constituency. He appreciated the work of Modi government and told about the achievements of the last nine years.
Though Singh avoided any direct mention of the allegations leveled against him, he did use a couplet in Urdu to drive home the point. “Every time I ask, every time I feel sorry, I drink poison every time… Yeh mila mujhko mohabbat ka sila, bewafa keh kar mujkho yaad kiya jata hai (This is the reward I have received for my love, they call me unfaithful. Call it notoriety or fame, they take my name with pursed lips.)” he said. .
(with PTI inputs)