In Short
- Vinesh Phogat alleged the identity of complainants of sexual harassment had been leaked by the Police
- Vinesh Phogat said attempts were being made to break the unity of the seven women wrestlers
- The wrestlers want the government to make public the findings of the Oversight Committee’s report
By Amit BhardwajOlympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday alleged that the identity of complainants of sexual harassment had been leaked by the Police and some Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officials are threatening female wrestlers and pressuring them to withdraw sexual harassment complaints against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia claimed that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief is now using strong-arm tactics to break the “victims” by issuing threats and offering bribes.
The police, according to Vinesh, have leaked the names of the victims to Brij Bhushan, who is using Haryana Wrestling Association secretary general Rakesh and coach Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi to threaten the families of the women wrestlers who have filed complaints against the WFI chief. Phogat also alleged that the wrestlers have made complaints to the DCW but no action has been taken.
“Identity of the complainants of sexual harassment has been leaked by the police. They are issuing threats. They are trying to break the victims and that’s why the delay in lodging an FIR. We have raised the issue with NCW,” Vinesh told India Today.
“Need to protect the identity of the complainants. The Complainants of sexual Harassment receiving threat calls, they are being lured, being offered money. All methods being used to break them,” Phogat added.
“We thought the sports ministry will give us justice but it did not happen. But we have faith in judiciary. If the Supreme Court takes everything related to this case under its wings and we are sure that no game will be played, only then we will leave the protest site.
Would they be content if the police file an FIR and begins an investigation?
Vinesh said, “There are hundreds and thousands of FIRs against many people. But it is a question of justice. Only when are sure that we will not be tricked, we will end the protest, otherwise we are here.”
Top wrestlers from the country, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh, and Sakshi Malik, returned to the Jantar Mantar protest site on Sunday and demanded that a FIR be filed against the WFI chief.
They also want the government to make public the findings of the Oversight Committee’s report, which looked into allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Delhi government and others in response to a petition filed by seven female wrestlers alleging non-registration of a FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Birj Bhushan, stating that these are “serious allegations” that require its consideration.
The Supreme Court initially thought that the women wrestlers’ petition would be heard on Friday. However, after hearing some arguments from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who brought up the subject, it was decided to take up the case immediately.
The bench stated that normally, a remedy to approach police is available under Section 156 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (police officers’ power to investigate cognisable cases).
Watson Murazik
Ryleigh Mante
Wilmer Bode