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The First Information Report against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has revealed serious allegations of sexual harassment. According to a Zee News report, the allegations included touching the female athletes inappropriately on the pretext of checking their breath and threatening them to demand sexual favors in return for bearing the cost of treatment for their injuries. The allegations in the FIR also accuse Brij Bhushan of groping female wrestlers, touching their feet with his feet, groping a minor’s breast and stalking her. The allegations in these FIRs are based on the complaints of seven women wrestlers and these were lodged at Delhi’s Connaught Place police station last month.
The wrestlers are demanding Brij Bhushan’s removal and his arrest. The wrestlers have accused Singh of sexual harassment in the most inappropriate and brutal manner.
On the other hand, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has rejected all the allegations while asking for proof. Rejecting all the allegations, Singh said that he would hang himself if the allegations were proved. “If you (wrestlers) have any evidence, present it in the court and I am ready to accept any punishment,” he said.
One of the wrestlers has stated in the FIR that they used to travel in groups to avoid meeting the accused alone. One of the complainants also accused Vinod Tomar, Secretary of the Wrestling Federation, of coercion inside his Delhi office.
After the wrestlers went to the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police had registered an FIR in the matter on April 29. The FIR was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 34 (common intention) and section 10 of the POCSO Act. The IPC sections carry a jail term of one to seven years.
Several top wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have been protesting against WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh for months. Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur asked the wrestlers to trust the Delhi Police and the Supreme Court of India to wait till the investigation is completed. The Union minister also said that till the time the probe is on, the wrestlers should not do anything that would harm the sport and its players.
