New Delhi: A ruckus broke out following a scuffle between Delhi Police and the wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over charges of sexual harassment, in Jantar Mantar, on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported.
VIDEO | Scuffle between protesting wrestlers and cops at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/uQhIPeAfL8
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 3, 2023
Earlier in the day, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha met the protesting wrestlers at the protest site and assured them of her support, saying she was first an athlete and then an administrator.
#WATCH | “We’re in need of the support of the whole country, everyone must come to Delhi. Police using force against us, abusing women and doing nothing against Brijbhushan…”: Wrestler Bajrang Punia pic.twitter.com/krGrO7HlxM
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2023
The former sprinter left without speaking with the media but Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said she has assured them help. “Initially when she said that, we felt very bad but then she said that her comments were misinterpreted. She said that she is first an athlete and then an administrator,” PTI quoted Punia as saying.
“We told her that we want justice. We don’t have a fight with the government or opposition or anyone else. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) are proved then there should be legal action,” he added.
Meanwhile, the seven women wrestlers, who have levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan Singh moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking permission to file an affidavit in sealed cover, PTI reported.
The counsel representing the women wrestlers mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha and said he was seeking permission to file the affidavit in sealed cover before the top court, which is slated to hear the matter on Thursday.
It is to be noted that the Delhi Police had registered two FIRs against the WFI chief on Friday on the basis of complaints filed by the seven women wrestlers.