BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh allegedly groped women athletes, asked inappropriate personal questions, demanded sexual favours to back their careers, brushed his hands across a minor’s breast and stalked her, two First Information Reports, or FIRs, against him say.
Mr. Singh is also accused of creating problems for and denying professional opportunities to, those who rejected his alleged sexual advances.
Based on the complaints of seven women wrestlers at Delhi’s Connaught Place police station last month, the two FIRs — one combining complaints of six wrestlers, and a separate one based on the complaint of a minor’s father — were filed on April 28, while the written complaints were submitted on April 21. The FIRs list various alleged incidents, from different places in India and abroad, from 2012 to 2022.
FIRs have been registered which mention 10 cases of molestation by the players. The wrestlers have complained of ‘inappropriate touch, and asking for objectionable favours. While the first FIR relates to allegations by the minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty.
Details of complaints
- “Called me to his table during dinner in a restaurant. Then touched me inappropriately…touched me from chest to abdomen, without my permission in the Wrestling Federation office. My knees, shoulders and palms were also touched. My feet were also touched with his feet. Touched from chest to stomach on the pretext of understanding my breathing pattern.”
- “When I was lying on the mat, the accused came near me. My coach was not there. He pulled my T-shirt without my permission and put his hand on my chest on the pretext of checking my breath. In another instance, I was with my brother in the Federation office, I was called and my brother was asked to stop. Then he was pulled to his side in the room.”
- “Hugged me…Asked to talk to parents to pay a bribe”
- “Put a hand on the navel on the pretext of a breath test”
- “I was at the back of the line, touched the wrong way, grabbed my shoulder when I tried to move away”
- “Put my hand on the shoulder on the pretext of a picture…I protested.”
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. On Wednesday, he issued a defiant statement, once again refuting all charges. Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing sexual harassment charges levelled by female wrestlers, reiterated that he will hang himself even if a single allegation is proven against him.
(With inputs from agencies)
