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Wrestlers’ Protest: Delhi Police files charge sheet against ex-WFI chief

Wrestlers, led by Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers by former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

NEW DELHI: A month and a half after some of India’s celebrated wrestlers took to the streets, alleging sexual harassment of female wrestlers by former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Delhi Police finally filed the charge sheet in connection with the case.

A team from Delhi Police SIT filed a 1500 page charge sheet, based on the allegations levelled by six female wrestlers, at the Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday.

The Delhi Police informed the court that a pen drive containing photographs and other digital evidence related to the case had also been submitted.

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The photos are related to the events of the competitions and championships where Singh was allegedly involved in molestations with the victim wrestlers.

Meanwhile, the SIT members also filed the cancellation report in another FIR (First Information Report) filed by a minor wrestler against Singh.

In this case, the minor changed her statement, therefore, the Delhi Police told the court that the case filed under the provisions of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) should be cancelled.

Delhi Police spokesperson Suman Nalwa said, “In the POCSO matter, after completion of the investigation, the SIT has submitted a police report under Section 173 CrPC requesting a cancellation of the case based upon the statements of the complainant and her father.”

The Delhi Police had registered two FIRs – one on the complaint filed by minor wrestlers and another on the complaints filed by six female wrestlers.

Delhi Police said in the FIR of six wrestlers, the charge sheet was filed at Rouse Avenue Court. “Wrestlers, after completion of the investigation, we are filing a chargesheet for the offences under sections 354, 354A, 354D IPC against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and for the offences under Sections 109/ 354/354A/506 IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the concerned Hon’ble Court,” said Nalwa.

Speaking to The New Indian, Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava said, “The charge sheet that is filed at Rouse Avenue Court, the decision for taking the cognisance will be decided on June 22. In the POCSO case, the next hearing on the matter is scheduled on July 4.”

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The wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which lasted over a month, was led by Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat. They decided to suspend their protest following a meeting with Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur on June 7. This meeting followed discussions the wrestlers had with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding their demands.

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After a six-hour-long meeting with Thakur, Sakshi Malik, the first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal, stated, “Although the Centre had requested time until June 15 for the completion of investigations, the wrestlers’ protest is not yet over.”

The wrestlers began their protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the WFI on April 23 at Jantar Mantar, demanding the arrest of the WFI president while accusing him of sexual harassment and misconduct.

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