Indian Wrestlers Seek Justice as Supreme Court Seeks Responds Over Sexual Assault Case Against WFI Chief
Indian wrestlers have been protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual assault by seven women wrestlers. The Supreme Court issued a notice on Tuesday and sought a response from the Delhi police over a plea filed by the wrestlers. The victims have alleged that there are video recordings that prove the allegations of sexual assault. One of the victims was just 16 years old at the time of the harassment, and she had won a gold medal.
Supreme Court Issues Notice to Delhi Police Over Sexual Assault Case
The Supreme Court has taken up the issue of sexual assault against the wrestlers and has sought a response from the Delhi police. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the wrestlers, stated that even the police personnel could be prosecuted for not registering a case under stringent sections.
The victims have been protesting against the WFI chief for several months now, and the latest development is a significant step towards justice for them.
Several athletes and sports personalities have lent their support to the wrestlers. Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia has invited all parties to join their agitation, and representatives of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) visited Jantar Mantar to interact with the protesting sportspeople.
SAI officials were seen holding discussions with wrestlers, but some have been barred from backing the agitation. The Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) has barred all its athletes and coaches from joining the wrestlers’ protest.
SSCB Athletes Barred From Joining Protest
According to a report in The Tribune, the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) has barred all its athletes and coaches from joining the wrestlers’ protest. The board has informed all its players that a few wrestlers are going to sit on a dharna at Jantar Mantar and has requested all SSCB athletes to keep away from the dharna. The move by the SSCB has received criticism from some quarters, who believe that athletes and sports personalities should be allowed to express their opinions and support social causes.
The Union sports ministry has declared the WFI’s proposed elections on May 7 as “null and void”. The latest development is being seen as a move to pacify the agitating wrestlers, who have resumed their sit-in protest after a gap of three months. The ministry has requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a transitory or ad-hoc committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI and to conduct elections to its new executive committee within 45 days of the formation of such interim body.
Wrestlers Resumed Sit-In Protest After Three Months
The wrestlers present at the protest site include Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Kadian, Somveer Rathi and Jitender Kinha, among others. They had held a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this year but ended it after the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe the allegations levelled against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.
