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By India Today News Desk: Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh, who is in the eye of the storm over sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by women wrestlers, claimed that the grapplers who are protesting at Jantar Mantar “have strong political support”.
In an interview with India Today, Brij Bhushan Singh said the sexual harassment charges against him are “politically motivated”.
“This matter is being politicised. Their demands are constantly changing. They (charges against me) are politically motivated. I have never been convicted by any court in any case,” he said.
Top grappers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding the resignation and arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.
Hitting out at the protesting wrestlers, the WFI chief said, “There are wrestlers from other states. They did not raise the allegations against me. Then, why are they levelling allegations against me?”
The Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs over sexual harassment allegations levelled by several women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Singh. The first one pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim, which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging of modesty.
The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by other adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.
NOT A CRIMINAL, RESIGNATION NOT A BIG DEAL
Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, the WFI chief asserted that he is “innocent” and “not a criminal”. He also said he is ready to cooperate in the investigation and has “full faith” in the judiciary.
He said if he resigned, then it would mean he would accept the allegations levelled by the wrestlers.
“Resignation is not a big deal, but I am not a criminal. If I resign, it will mean that I have accepted their (wrestlers’) allegations. My tenure is almost over. The government has formed a three-member committee and elections will be held in 45 days and my term will end after the elections,” Brij Bhushan Singh said.
“I am innocent and ready to face the investigation. I am ready to cooperate with the investigative agency. I have full faith in the judiciary and I respect the order of Supreme Court,” he said.
He said that the protesting wrestlers were coming with new demands and took a dig at woman grappler Vinesh Phogat, saying he is the MP from Kaiserganj constituency not because of her, but because of people who voted for him.
“Every day, they (wrestlers) are coming with their new demands. They demanded an FIR, which was registered, and now they are saying that I should be sent to jail and resign from all posts. I am an MP because of the people of my constituency and not because of Vinesh Phogat. Only one family and Akhara (are protesting) and 90% players from Haryana are with me,” he said.
The protesting wrestlers said they would not end the protest until Bhushan Singh was arrested. Several people from the sports and political fraternity have extended their support to the grapplers.
(with inputs from Anchal Shrivastava and Sudhir Chaudhary)
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