Central Government extends an invitation to wrestlers amid ongoing protests, while Delhi Police intensify investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has extended an invitation to the protesting wrestlers for a discussion on their concerns, according to a tweet on Wednesday. The government’s willingness to engage in dialogue comes after a previous interaction between the wrestlers and Home Minister Amit Shah failed to yield satisfactory results.
Among the prominent wrestlers involved in the protest are Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat. The outcome of their decision regarding the invitation remains uncertain, as they expressed disappointment with the response received during their meeting with the Home Minister.
In a related development, the Delhi Police conducted a visit to the residence of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of the visit was to gather evidence and record statements from Singh’s associates and employees as part of an ongoing investigation into a sexual harassment case.
During the visit, the police recorded statements from individuals, including Singh’s driver, while verifying their identities and addresses. A senior police official involved in the investigation confirmed that the evidence is being meticulously collected, and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the court.
Additionally, the 17-year-old wrestler who filed a complaint under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act at Delhi’s Connaught Place police station against Singh has now provided a fresh statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate in court. Due to the sensitivity of the case, the official refrained from disclosing further details, emphasizing the need to limit the information shared.
As the Central government opens its doors to dialogue with the protesting wrestlers, the investigation into the harassment case against the Wrestling Federation of India’s chief progresses with the collection of evidence and statements. The outcome of both these developments remains eagerly anticipated in the wrestling community.