Wrestlers Protest Update: Union Minister Anurag Thakur today (May 14) asked the protesting wrestlers to end their protest and show faith in law and order, saying that the apex court has given its verdict and Delhi Police is also recording statements in the matter . Veteran wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik protested at Jantar Mantar, accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest.
“The committee was constituted, and their concerns were also heard. An ad hoc committee has been constituted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to undertake the day-to-day functioning of the wrestling federation. Testing for athletes have also started, the Union Sports Minister told the media in Hamirpur.
He said, “The Supreme Court has given its verdict. Delhi Police has also registered an FIR and is recording statements. Magistrates are also recording statements. They should have faith in our law and order and end their protest.” should do.”
Earlier on April 24, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) would set up an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections to the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days. To administer the day-to-day affairs of the body including its constitution, selection of athletes and making entries for participation of sportspersons in international events. This committee will function for an interim period till the new executive committee takes over.
On the complaint of the protesting wrestlers, a team of Delhi Police went to Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Haryana to collect evidence against Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Several female wrestlers leveled allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI chief. Protesting wrestlers are camping outside Jantar Mantar in the national capital, demanding the arrest of BJP MP Singh and his removal from the wrestling federation.
The Delhi Police is in touch with foreign agencies to know more about the allegations he faced during his foreign trips. Police have collected photos and videos from different places as evidence. The Delhi Police on Friday filed a status report on the application filed by women wrestlers in the alleged sexual offense case against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The court was also informed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter. Following the Supreme Court’s notice, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs on April 28.
Earlier this year, prominent wrestlers came forward to protest against the WFI chief, following which Union minister Anurag Thakur set up a ‘monitoring committee’ to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches declare. On 23 April, top wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Mallik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six female wrestlers and a minor had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh at the Connaught Place police station But the Delhi Police did not register an FIR.
(With ANI inputs)
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