New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh allegedly sought sexual favours from women wrestlers in lieu of professional assistance, touched women athletes inappropriately, asked inappropriate questions, ran his hands over breasts and navel, demanded sexual favours in exchange for the federation bearing the cost of treatment of injuries sustained during the tournament, brushed his hands across a minor’s breast and stalked her, the First Information Reports (FIRs), filed on April 28, based on the complaints of seven women wrestlers at Connaught Place police station in New Delhi last month, allege.
The two FIRs — one based on the complaint of the minor’s father and the other combining complaints of six wrestlers — cite IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 34 (common intention) that carry a jail term of one to three years. The first FIR also invokes Section 10 of the POCSO Act, which entails five to seven years of imprisonment. The FIRs were registered after the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court.
The minor’s FIR alleged that on the pretext of getting a picture clicked, the accused (Singh) held the minor tightly, squeezed her towards himself, and then brushed his hands against her breasts.
One complainant alleged that one day while she was out for dinner in the hotel restaurant, the accused (Singh) called her separately to his dinner table, placed his hand on her breast, groped her, and slid his hand down to her stomach.
Another wrestler said that she was called by the accused (Singh), and he then pulled up her t-shirt, slid his hand down her stomach, and put his hand on her navel on the pretext of checking her breath. She further stated that since the accused (Singh) was always on the lookout for engaging in inappropriate talk/gestures, the wrestlers collectively agreed not to go alone for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The FIR filed by the six adult wrestlers reported a similar pattern of inappropriate touching and molestation.
Agencies

KR Desk