Ready to face probe, says WFI chief Brij Bhushan after FIRs against him

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Saturday said that he was innocent and ready to face a probe amid protests by wrestlers over sexual harassment allegations against him.

Speaking to reporters, he 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 the SC."

Photo Credit: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

''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. Govt has formed a 3-member committee and elections will be held in 45 days & my term will end after the elections,'' Singh told reporters.

Healso said,''Every day they (wrestlers) are coming with their new demands. They demanded FIR, FIR was registered and now they are saying that I should be sent to jail and resign from all posts. I am MP because of people of my constituency and not becasue of Vinesh Phogat. Only one family and Akhara (are protesting) & 90% players of Haryana are with me.''

''They (wrestlers) did not complain to any police station, sports ministry or federation for 12 years. Before their protest, they used to praise me, invite me to their weddings and take photographs with me, seek my blessings. Now the matter is with the Supreme Court and Delhi Police and I will accept their decision,'' he further said.

Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, who have been leading the renewed protests against WFI, asserted that they will not leave the place until a case is lodged in the matter.

Frustrated with the three-month wait, the peeved wrestlers returned to Jantar Mantar to resume their agitation on April 23 and also approached the Supreme Court, demanding the arrest of the WFI boss.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed solidarity with protesting wrestlers after meeting them at Jantar Mantar and accused the government of 'protecting' WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women grapplers.

The Congress general secretary also called for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief's ouster from the post so that he is unable to ''exert pressure'' on the wrestlers and hamper their careers.

With the chorus of support for the protesting wrestlers growing, the Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers.

The First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on Friday.

While one FIR relates to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the other was related to outraging modesty.

After Mehta's submission, the country's top wrestlers, who have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh, rejoiced ''the first step towards victory'' but said they will continue their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds. Singh has completed 12 years as the WFI chief and is ineligible to contest for another term.

(with PTI inputs)