Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the ongoing crisis within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Malik alleges that the federation, despite being suspended by the government, continues to operate and exert pressure on young athletes, ignoring court orders. She expresses concern for the future of these athletes if the federation’s activities are not halted.
Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh and official Vinod Tomar have pleaded not guilty in three sexual harassment cases filed by six women wrestlers. Singh, a BJP leader, refuted the charges, stating “I haven’t done anything wrong.” Tomar also denied the allegations, claiming to possess evidence that will be presented in court. The court had previously framed charges against Singh under IPC Sections 354 (assault with intent to outrage modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment), as well as Section 506-part 1 (criminal intimidation) based on allegations by two complainants. However, Singh was discharged on the allegations of the sixth complainant. Tomar, meanwhile, has been charged under Section 506-part 1 of the IPC based on the allegations of one complainant.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of sexual harassment charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The decision comes more than a year after top wrestlers accused Singh of sexual exploitation and intimidation. Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in June 2022. The court found sufficient evidence to frame charges against Singh under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers.
The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has ordered the framing of charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. The charges are related to the sexual harassment of five wrestlers, while Singh has been acquitted of the charges pertaining to the sixth wrestler. The court found sufficient evidence to justify the charges against Singh, who is the sitting MP from Kaiserganj.
Narsingh Yadav, the former Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has been elected as the chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) Athletes Commission. This appointment comes as part of a mandate by the sport’s governing body, the United World Wrestling (UWW). Seven individuals were vying for the seven positions on the athletes commission, and Yadav emerged as the clear choice after a ballot paper vote. In a significant development, Sanjay Singh, a close aide of the former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected as the new president. The WFI had immediately provided UWW with a written guarantee that all the wrestlers, including those who protested against the previous regime, would be considered for participation in competitions.
Former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) Athletes’ Commission on Wednesday, completing a mandated process. The polls, conducted on ballot paper, saw a total of eight candidates vying for seven positions. Narsingh’s election is significant given his previous involvement in a controversial doping case in the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics. However, he has maintained that the incident was a case of sabotage. Other elected members of the athletes’ commission include Sahil (Delhi), Smitha AS (Kerala), Bharti Bhaghei (UP), Khushboo S Pawar (Gujarat), Nikki (Haryana), and Sweta Dubey (Bengal).
