Plea in Delhi HC against wrestlers who protested against WFI Chief

A petition has been moved in Delhi High Court against players/wrestlers, who recently staged a protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, levelling serious charges of sexual harassment against him, and coaches of the federation.

The plea alleged that the Protestors/Wrestlers have completely misused the sexual harassment laws by making them a mockery of justice. If any player had undergone sexual harassment, they must have acted in accordance with the law through police and courts etc. 

The petition requests that a FIR be registered against players such as Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for allegedly misusing the legal system by threatening the WFI chairman with extortion in order to get him to retire.

After submitting the petition, lawyer Sharikasnt Prasad revealed that the petitioner in the case is Vicky, who stays at 21, Ashoka Road, the official house of Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and works as his chef.

The appeal further claimed that protestor wrestlers went over and above to sully the honour and dignity of the Brij Bhushan by openly alleging serious charges of sexual harassment of female wrestlers.

Wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia recently protested in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, alleging sexual harassment against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

After receiving guarantees from the government that their issues would be handled, the unhappy players/wrestlers called off their protest late Friday night, and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was requested to step aside for four weeks.

An oversight committee will investigate claims of sexual harassment and financial misconduct against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh during this time.