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Wrestlers' Protest Live: Bajrang Punia says WFI is offering money and threatening complainants
The players should get justice as their demand is justified, Hooda said
Bajrang Punia
The Supreme Court on Tuesday called the sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh "serious" and issued notice to the Delhi Police in the matter.
Attitude of cops shockingly rude, emboldens perpetrators of sexual harassment: Women wrestlers to SC
"I don't know how this has happened but the girls who have complained are being pressured. WFI officials are going to their homes and offering money," Bajrang Punia said. "If something happens to those girls, the police and government will be responsible. I don't know how the names were disclosed," he added.
Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday claimed that seven female wrestlers, including a minor, who were allegedly sexually exploited by WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, are being forced to withdraw their police complaint. Some people from the WFI have approached the complainants and even offered them money, Punia alleged at a press conference in Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Tuesday voiced support for protesting wrestlers, saying that 'Insaaf ke Sipahi' of his newly-launched platform to fight injustice are with them. He tweeted: "Charges of sexual harassment against BJP (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Protesters: Unable to move the conscience of those in power. Have decided to: Move the Supreme Court. Insaaf ke Sipahi are with you."
The top wrestlers had said they have nothing to do with the WFI polls and would continue to press for a proper investigation into their allegations that Singh sexually harassed women athletes. Several national award winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the government to make public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Singh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Jusitce P S Narasimha took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal that despite the sexual harassment allegations no FIR has been lodged. “Issue notice. List it (for hearing) on Friday,” the bench said and ordered redaction of names of complainant wrestlers from judicial records with a view to suppress their identities.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi government and others on a plea of seven women wrestlers alleging non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against BJP MP and WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Satya Pal Malik, the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has released a video in support of the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.
AAP MP Sushil Gupta, who met the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Monday, extended his support and demanded that the Delhi Police immediately lodge an FIR against the WFI president.
Actress and activist Urmila Matondkar has said,"Saddening n shameful. Pride of nation is begging for justice. Where are all those ministers who rush to click pics with them post their achievements? They deserve respect n dignity. Wake up 'system'."
Sports Authority of India (SAI) representatives visited Jantar Mantar and interacted with the wrestlers last night.
"Where justice should have been meted out, tears were found and the Prime Minister and his coterie, who give tall tales on women's safety, are sitting silent to save BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh," President of Mahila Congress, Netta D'Souza said.
Congress leader and ex-CM of Haryana, Bhupinder Hooda said he will be visiting Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to meet the wrestlers protesting against the WFI president accused of sexual assault. "It's a matter of shame that international players have to come out on the streets to stage a sit-in protest. The players should get justice as their demand is justified," he said.
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Published: 25 Apr 2023, 8:50 AM IST