India’s top Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawrat Kadian, Somveer Rathi and Jitendra amongst others filed complaint against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh in the sexual harassment case at the Connaught Police station in central Delhi on Friday Stating seven female wrestlers, including one minor, were molested, tortured and exploited by Brij Bhushan in his capacity as WFl president. The Wrestlers refused to reveal the names in this case. Wrestlers cried and ask citizens support in this case to give justice to the victims.
The Wrestlers had called off their protest in January after assurance from the sports ministry, but are back after three months of gap as they claim that no action has been taken yet against the WFI chief. According to the Wrestlers, it has been more than 48 hours but the police is yet to register an FIR on the complaint. “Brij Bhushan should be immediately arrested under the POCSO Act put behind the bars, said Olympic Medallist Vinesh Phogat.
The Wrestlers this time haven’t got permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for protest in the national capital. For any protest at Jantar Mantar, permission from the Supreme court is compulsory.
Earlier when the Wrestlers did the protest in January they ended protest over fake assurance claimed the Wrestlers. The government panel submitted its report in the first week of April, but the ministry yet to make its findings public. However, sources said the Wrestlers could not prove the sexual harassment allegations against the WFI boss after several hearings.
The Delhi police has registered seven complaints, but not an FIR, against the WFI president. An FIR will registered after concrete evidence comes to light, a senior cop said. “As of inquiry, we have sought a report from the probe committee set up by Sports Ministry to look into the allegations of sexual harassment allegations levelled against WFl chief,” he said.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has said that he will not contest for the president’s post in the WFI election on May 7 but hinted that he might look for a new role within the federation. He ha served four- year terms as president in a row and according to the sports code after completing 12 years as WFI chief, he is ineligible to contest for the top post.
