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This photo of Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia is from Jantar Mantar while talking to journalists.
The case of sexual exploitation of 6 adult wrestlers on former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan will be heard in the MP-MLA court on Tuesday. In which the 1500-page charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police will be heard. Delhi Police had presented the charge sheet in the Rouse Avenue Court a few days back.
Apart from Brij Bhushan, the name of WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar is also among the accused. In the charge sheet, the statement given by the wrestlers before the magistrate has been considered as an important basis. About 7 witnesses have been found against Brij Bhushan.
At the same time, evidence of his presence has also been found at the alleged place of sexual abuse. On the first hearing of the charge sheet, the court transferred it to the MP-MLA court. Also, on Monday, the court directed the Delhi Police to provide a copy of the charge sheet filed in the court to the complainant wrestlers.
2012 case of blocking the way or chasing
According to Delhi Police sources, Brij Bhushan is facing a roadblock or stalking case that dates back to 2012. In this, the woman wrestler who complained had told that Brij Bhushan talked to her mother during a tournament and called her to his room and hugged her tightly.
When the female wrestler returned home, he started calling her mother’s number several times on different pretexts. He also claimed that he even had to change his phone number to avoid Brijbhashan’s calls. However, no technical evidence has been found to prove these allegations.
The accused were present at the said places of sexual exploitation of adult wrestlers
In the case of adult wrestlers, the police presented a charge sheet of one thousand pages. In this, the police has considered the statement given by the wrestlers before the magistrate under section 164 of CrPC as the main basis of the charge sheet. Police said that evidence of the presence of the accused has been found at the place where the adult wrestlers have leveled allegations of sexual harassment against them.
The wrestlers have handed over 5 photographs to the police as evidence during the investigation. Apart from this, more digital evidence was given, they have been handed over to the court in pen drives. Statements of about 25 witnesses have been recorded in the charge sheet. 7 witnesses have supported the allegations of the victimized adult wrestlers. The rest have spoken in favor of the accused. He will be cross-examined during the trial.
The police have asked the wrestling federations of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Indonesia to provide CCTV footage and photographs of places where female wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment. Haven’t found them yet. On getting these, the police will present a supplementary challan in the case.
Now read what happened from the month of January to June.
- Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik along with Bajrang Punia started a dharna at Jantar Mantar on 18th January. Alleged that the then WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh sexually assaulted women wrestlers.
- After the controversy escalated on January 21, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur met the wrestlers and formed a committee, but the report of the committee has not been made public till date.
- On April 23, the wrestlers again sat on a dharna at Jantar Mantar. He said that the strike will continue till the arrest of Brij Bhushan.
- On April 28, on the orders of the Supreme Court, in the hearing of the petition of the wrestlers, the Delhi Police registered 2 FIRs against Brij Bhushan for molestation and under the POCSO Act.
- On the night of 3 May, there was a clash between wrestlers and policemen at Jantar Mantar. Dushyant, brother of wrestlers Rakesh Yadav and Vinesh Phogat, and 5 policemen were injured in the clash.
- On May 7, a mahapanchayat of Khaps of Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Punjab took place at Jantar Mantar. In this, a 15-day ultimatum was given to the Central Government for the arrest of Brij Bhushan.
- Mahapanchayat was again held on 21st May and it was decided to hold candle march at India Gate and Mahila Mahapanchayat on 28th May at the new Parliament House.
- On May 26, the wrestlers held a press conference and told that on May 28, they would march on foot from the picket site to the new Parliament House.
- On May 28, when the wrestlers tried to go for the mahapanchayat in front of the new parliament building, the police took them into custody.
- On May 29, the wrestlers stayed at home all day and decided to go on a fast unto death at the India Gate.
- On May 30, the wrestlers went to Haridwar Har Ki Pauri to exchange their medals. Where on the persuasion of farmer leader Naresh Tikait, he postponed the decision by giving an ultimatum of 5 days to the government.
- On May 31, news agency ANI quoted sources as claiming that the Delhi Police did not have evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan. On this, Delhi Police denied it by tweeting and said – investigation is going on. Later Delhi Police deleted its tweet.
- A mahapanchayat was held in Kurukshetra on 2nd June. In this, an ultimatum was given to arrest Brij Bhushan by 9th June.
- On June 3, the Delhi Police has received 4 witnesses in this case, who have confirmed the allegations against Brij Bhushan. These include one Olympian, Commonwealth Gold Medalist, International Referee and State Level Coach.
- On June 4, it was learned that the wrestlers had a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.
- On June 5, Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang joined the duty in the Railways. Sakshi, however, said that her agitation would continue.
- On knowing about the meeting with Amit Shah on 6th June, the farmers and khaps postponed their protest at Jantar Mantar on 9th June.
- On June 7, the wrestlers had come to meet Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. This meeting lasted for 6 hours.
- On June 9, Delhi Police took a female wrestler to Brij Bhushan’s office for a scene-recreate.
- On June 10, the Delhi Police sought audio-video and other proofs of the allegations leveled by the wrestlers.
- On June 11, a mahapanchayat of farmer laborers and khaps was held at KMP and in this it was announced to stop the supply of fruits and vegetables from Haryana to Delhi.
- On 12th June WFI elections were announced for 4th July and 3 including the referee who gave statement against Brijbhushan were removed.
- On June 15, charge sheet was filed against Brij Bhushan in the adult wrestler case and closure report in the minor wrestler case.
- On June 16, someone suspicious entered Brij Bhushan’s Delhi residence. The grandfather of the minor wrestler said – Our girl child was made a pawn.
- On June 17, Sakshi Malik revealed that BJP leaders Babita Phogat and Tirth Rana motivated her to stage a sit-in and also got permission.
- On June 18, Babita Phogat clarified, said- Sakshi Malik is lying, she has become a puppet in the hands of Congress.
- On June 21, Vinesh Phogat got the coach-physiotherapist of her choice along with permission to play the Budapest tournament.
- On June 22, the Brijbhushan case was transferred to the MP-MLA court. Also, 6 protesting wrestlers were exempted from trials by the IOA’s adhoc committee.
- On 23 June, Yogeshwar Dutt protested against the exemption in trials and advised all the wrestlers to complain about it to the high command.
- On 24th June, Vinesh-Sakshi and Bajrang talked about not ending the movement. Said that the copy of the charge sheet is awaited. Brij Bhushan will be sent to jail. Have not asked for exemption in trial.
- On 25 June, the Gauhati High Court stayed the Assam Wrestling Association’s petition on the WFI elections.