Tag: WFI

WFI sexual harassment: KTR extends support to protesting wrestlers

[ad_1]
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao on Friday took to social media to announce his support for the wrestler’s protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The minister gave a call to stand with the top Indian wrestlers who are protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chairman and other coaches, accusing them of sexually abusing female wrestlers.
The minister said in a tweet, “We celebrated when these Olympic champions brought Glory to our Nation. Now let’s stand with them and express our solidarity as they fight for justice”.

Seven female wrestlers have filed a sexual harassment case against federation leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Central Delhi’s Connaught Place police station.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that the FIR would be registered on Friday.
However, they continued their agitation and demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds.
Vinesh Phogat said it took Delhi Police six days to file an FIR and they don’t trust the probe agency.
“It (Police) might file a loose FIR. We we will see, observe then take a decision (on calling off protest). He should be behind the bars and removed from all the posts he holds, otherwise he will try to influence the investigation,” World Championship medallist Vinesh said.

KTR said in the tweet, “The serious sexual harassment allegations against the chief of wrestling federation should be probed impartially and justice delivered”.
We celebrated when these Olympic champions brought Glory to our Nation. Now let’s stand with them and express our solidarity as they fight for justice
The serious sexual harassment allegations against the chief of wrestling federation should be probed impartially and justice… pic.twitter.com/bzCp4qEx3D
— KTR (@KTRBRS) April 28, 2023

[ad_2]
#WFI #sexual #harassment #KTR #extends #support #protesting #wrestlers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 28, 2023
SC issues notice on wrestlers’ plea seeking FIR against WFI chief

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice on a plea by the country’s seven top wrestlers seeking a direction for the registration of an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha, said: “There are serious allegation in plea on behest of international wrestlers with regards to sexual harassment meted out to them. Issue notice returnable on Friday. Liberty to serve standing counsel NCT Delhi. The complaints which form an attachment in sealed cover and shall be again resealeda.”.
The plea was mentioned before the bench by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Narendra Hooda, representing the wrestlers.

Sibal submitted that this is the wrestlers’ matter and they are sitting in dharna, and seven women have complained and one is a minor.
He stressed that an FIR has not been registered and added that the plea seeks one against Singh over alleged sexual harassment by women wrestlers.
During the hearing, Sibal argued that there is a committee report which has not been made public.
The Chief Justice asked Sibal to show the case papers.
Sibal said please see the complaint by the minor, the young girl had won a gold medal and added even the police personnel can be prosecuted for not registering an FIR.

He emphasized that the court should look at the allegations and the police are not acting.
After hearing submissions, the top court sought response from the Delhi Police.
According to the plea, the wrestlers have cited an inordinate delay in registration of FIR by the Delhi Police against the WFI President and urged the apex court to issue a direction to police to lodge a case.
The top court agreed with the petitioners to suppress their identity mentioned in the petition.
[ad_2]
#issues #notice #wrestlers #plea #seeking #FIR #WFI #chief
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 25, 2023
Delhi Police seek probe report on sexual harassment charges against WFI chief

[ad_1]
Delhi: Delhi Police has sought a report from the probe committee set up by the Ministry of Sports to investigate the sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a senior officer said on Monday.
The officer said that so far seven complaints have been received against the Wrestling Federation of India President and all of them are being investigated. An FIR will be registered after concrete evidence comes to light, he said.
“As part of inquiry, we have sought a report from the probe committee set up by Sports Ministry to look into the allegations of sexual harassment allegations levelled against WFI chief,” he said.

Several national award winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the government to make public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Singh.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur had announced the five-member oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer M C Mary Kom, to look into allegations against Singh, a BJP leader and a muscleman with criminal history.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Delhi #Police #seek #probe #report #sexual #harassment #charges #WFI #chief

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 24, 2023
WFI sexual harassment case: Wrestlers back to protest at Jantar Mantar

[ad_1]
Top Indian wrestlers who protested against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chairman and other coaches earlier this year, accusing them of sexually abusing female wrestlers, have returned to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar with a fresh police complaint.
Seven female wrestlers have filed a sexual harassment case against federation leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Central Delhi’s Connaught Place police station.
A First Information Report based on the complaint has yet to be submitted, wrestler Sakshee Malikh said expressing frustration that a government panel report on the topic has not yet been made public.

“We want the report that contains the statements of the female wrestlers to be made public. It’s a sensitive issue, and one of the complainants is a minor girl,” she added and stressed that the complainants’ identities should not be revealed.
Another top wrestler Bajrang Punia stated that they won’t leave until Brij Bhushan is arrested.
Vinesh Phogat stated that despite numerous attempts to reach out, they have received no answer from the administration.
“We’re going to sleep and eat here until justice is served. For three months, we have been attempting to reach them (union sports minister Anurag Thakur and other relevant authorities). Members of the committee have not responded to us, nor has the sports ministry; they have not even returned our calls. We’ve won medals for the country and put our careers on the line for this,” she remarked.
On January 23, the Sports Ministry established a five-member monitoring committee, led by famed boxer MC Mary Kom, and instructed it to present its findings within one month.

On the protesting wrestlers’ request, it later extended the deadline by two weeks and appointed Babita Phogat as the panel’s sixth member. The committee delivered its report in the first week of April, but the government has yet to release its conclusions.
According to reports, the wrestlers were unable to substantiate the sexual harassment charges against the WFI chief after many hearings.
The wrestlers had previously stated that they did not want to go to court because they trusted the Prime Minister, but had warned them to go to the police if the government did not act. They expressed dissatisfaction with negotiations at the sports ministry mediated by olympian Babita Phogat, a BJP member and member of the Haryana government. Anurag Thakur spoke with the wrestlers about the charges, which he described as ‘serious.’
The Delhi Commission for Women, the state agency concerned with women’s concerns, has sent a notice to Delhi Police for neglecting to file an FIR in the case.
[ad_2]
#WFI #sexual #harassment #case #Wrestlers #protest #Jantar #Mantar
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 23, 2023
Report probing WFI chief’s sexual harassment allegations to be submitted by March 9

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has extended by two weeks the deadline given to the Oversight Committee to submit its report on sexual harassment allegations against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The Committee, led by legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, was formed on January 23 to investigate into the claims made by country’s top wrestlers that Brij Bhushan has sexually harassed several women wrestlers and intimidates the athletes.
The wrestlers had not provided the names of the ‘victims’.
The committee, which is running the day-to-day functioning of the sports body, was asked to submits its report in four weeks.
The ministry extended the deadline following requests from the committee members and now it will submit its report by March 9.
“The Sports Ministry has given a two-week extension to the Oversight Committee for the submission of its report, following a request,” a ministry source told PTI.
The sports ministry was forced to form the panel after top Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya and Sakshi Malik, staged a sit-in protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding that Brij Bhushan be removed from the top post and WFI be disbanned.
The BJP MP was asked to step aside till the completion of the probe into his alleged misconduct.

The Mary Kom-led committee has former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former shuttler Trupti Murgunde, SAI member Radhica Sreeman and Rajesh Rajagopalan, ex-CEO, Target Olympic Podium Scheme and CWG gold medallist Babita Phogat as its members.
Since the formation of the committee, the top Indian wrestlers have not competed at the international meets, missing the UWW Ranking Series events in Zagreb and Alexandria.
UWW, the world governing body of the sport, has reportedly taken away the hosting rights of the Asian Championship from India, citing a complaint from the top wrestlers.
[ad_2]
#Report #probing #WFI #chiefs #sexual #harassment #allegations #submitted #March
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 23, 2023
WFI row wake-up call for sports bodies to prioritise women athletes’ safety

[ad_1]
New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, India’s top wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others, staged a protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on January 18, levelling serious charges of sexual harassment against him and the coaches of the federation.
The wrestlers in a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also alleged financial misappropriation and misgovernance in the WFI and claimed that the coaches and sports science staff were ‘incompetent’.
The WFI hit back and said that the protest was baseless and driven by a “hidden agenda to dislodge the current management”, which led to even sharper reactions from the wrestlers.
Eventually, the PT Usha led Indian Olympic Association and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur intervened, heard the grievances of the wrestlers and promised them full justice. Not satisfied with the assurance, the grapplers had multiple meetings with the minister, some of which were late night. This eventually led to the stepping aside of the under-fire Brij Bhushan till an oversight committee probes the allegations and submits its report.
The oversight committee led by the legendary boxer Mary Kom is currently handling the day-to-day activities of the WFI and also looking into the allegations made by the wrestlers.
Last week’s protest should definitely be a wake-up call for the other sports bodies in the country to address serious issues and prioritise the well-being and safety of Indian women athletes.
The Indian sports administrators often claim that they have a ‘robust’ system, which gives a level playing field to athletes irrespective of their gender. However, the recent development and serious allegations have burst that bubble.
No doubt, things have improved drastically for Indian athletes in the last few years. Whether it’s a male or female sportsperson, they have far better access to facilities, coaches and grounds. Even people in general have changed their mindset towards the country’s female athletes.

But the bigger question is whether these women athletes are feeling safe at practice, during trials or even competitions. Are they having a sense of security to perform at their best?
The wrestlers, who have levelled serious allegations against the WFI chief, are top sportspersons, who have brought many laurels for India. If they are not feeling safe, one can only imagine the plight of women athletes at the lower division levels where they often don’t raise their issues and even if they do, most people don’t care.
So, it’s time for the Indian government, sports ministry and other federations to address the issue and create an environment where women athletes can speak up about their difficulties and discomfort. If they receive a complaint, they must take action against the culprits.
Apart from sports, there are many sectors and industries in the country which have seen issues of sexual misconduct and the action taken there has set precedents.
If the allegations turn out to be true, then the Sports Ministry must take strong action, which will ensure justice to the athletes and allow others to raise their issues, eventually leading to a healthy Indian sporting ecosystem.
[ad_2]
#WFI #row #wakeup #call #sports #bodies #prioritise #women #athletes #safety
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 29, 2023
WFI sexual harassment case: Govt didn’t consult us before forming probe panel, say wrestlers

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The wrestlers who accused WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation on Tuesday rued that the government did not consult them before forming the oversight committee that will probe charges against the sports administrator.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced on Monday that a five-member oversight committee, headed by legendary boxer M C Mary Kom, will investigate the charges against the WFI boss and also manage the day-to-day affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sarita Mor and Sakshi Malik, who staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar for three days demanding the sacking of the WFI president, posted identical tweet on the micro-blogging site, expressing their dismay.
हमें आश्वासन दिया गया था कि Oversight Committee के गठन से पहले हमसे परामर्श किया जाएगा। बड़े दुख की बात है कि इस कमेटी के गठन से पहले हमसे राय भी नहीं ली गई. @narendramodi @AmitShah @ianuragthakur
— Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) January 24, 2023
हमें आश्वासन दिया गया था कि Oversight Committee के गठन से पहले हमसे परामर्श किया जाएगा। बड़े दुख की बात है कि इस कमेटी के गठन से पहले हमसे राय भी नहीं ली गई. @narendramodi @AmitShah @ianuragthakur
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) January 24, 2023
“We were assured that we will be consulted before the formation of the oversight committee. It’s really sad that we were not consulted,” the wrestlers tweeted and tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Thakur.
The oversight committee has former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, ex-badminton player and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Rajagopalan and former SAI executive director – teams – Radhica Sreeman as other members.
The wrestlers had accused Singh, who is also a BJP MP, of acting like a dictator and sexually harassing junior wrestlers.
The wrestlers did not reveal the identity of the athletes who faced sexual harassment.

Subscribe us on

[ad_2]
#WFI #sexual #harassment #case #Govt #didnt #consult #forming #probe #panel #wrestlers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 24, 2023
Committee formed to probe against WFI; Mary Kom, Yogeshwar Dutt included
[ad_1]
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced on Monday that the oversight committee formed to probe into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will consist of five members, led by Olympic medalist Mary Kom.
The oversight committee will also administer and manage the day-to-day affairs of the wrestling body “as a purely interim measure”.
A letter from the Union Sports Ministry noted that wrestlers had made allegations of sexual harassment against the president, officials and coaches of the federation and the Ministry took a serious look into the matter and asked the federation for a reply within 72 hours on January 18. Following that, the WFI submitted its response to the ministry via a letter on January 20.
Also, the Ministry received information from prominent athletes, “which prima facie warrants certain action(s), and the Ministry is of the considered view that the Wrestling Federation of India has not discharged its duties with respect to redressal of players’ grievances and conduct of the business of the Federation in a professional manner.”
“Therefore, considering the unprecedented situation which calls for immediate measures to ameliorate the grievances of sportspersons, and to promote good governance in the WFI, the Ministry, in consonance with provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 “Sports Code” and in compliance with the principles of the International Olympic Committee policy on safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sports and the principles of Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act 2013, hereby instructs the Executive Committee of the WFI to abstain with immediate effect, as an interim measure, from administering and managing the day-to-day activities of the Federation, until further orders and hereby appoints an Oversight Committee as a purely interim measure,” read the letter by the Ministry.
The composition for the Oversight Committee was announced to be as follows”
-MC Mary Kom, boxer and Olympic medalist and chairperson of the Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
-Yogeshwar Dutt, wrestler and Olympic medalist, a member of the Executive Council of IOA.
-Dhyanchand awardee and former badminton player Trupti Murgunde.
-Sports Authority of India (SAI) member Radhica Sreeman
- ex-CEO Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Cdr Rajesh Rajagopalan (Retd)
  The following will be terms of reference for the Oversight Committee:
  i. To enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/or intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, levelled by prominent sportspersons;
  ii. To undertake day-to-day administration of the Wrestling Federation of India.
  iii. The Oversight Committee will complete the enquiry at the earliest, by four weeks.
  Earlier, speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Sunday, Anurag Thakur said that the Centre has heard all the players pertaining to allegations levelled against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and added all the activities of the tournament were stopped immediately pending an inquiry by the probe committee.
  “Assistant Secretary WFI was sacked and an oversight committee will begin an impartial probe so that everything gets clear,” Anurag Thakur said.
  Meanwhile, the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) Annual General Body Meeting (AGM), which was supposed to start at 10 am on Sunday in Ayodhya, was called off amid the ongoing battle between the wrestlers and its governing body in the country.
  Following the wrestlers’ protest, this meeting was seen as being of utmost importance.
  The development comes after the central government on Saturday evening suspended WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar. Along with this, the activities of WFI were immediately banned till the completion of the investigation into the allegations of the wrestlers.
  After late-night parleys with the protesting star grapplers, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday night announced that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will ‘step aside’ from the day-to-day affairs of the WFI till the ‘oversight committee’ led by Olympian MC Mary Kom completes its inquiry into the allegations against him.
  The probe committee has been given a mandate of four weeks to submit its report, the minister added.
  The wrestlers, who were protesting at Jantar Mantar, called off their protest after a meeting with Union Sports Minister Thakur on Friday.
  However, WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh refuted the allegations and claimed he would expose the ‘political conspiracy’ in a press conference in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda.
  Singh had earlier denied all allegations against him and said that the protesting wrestlers should have approached the Federation earlier.
  Singh also claimed that 97 per cent of wrestlers were with the WFI and those who were taking part in the protests were pressured to do so. He also vehemently denied any incident of sexual harassment. “There has been no incident of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself,” the WFI president said while addressing a press conference in the national capital on Wednesday. (ANI)
[ad_2]
#Committee #formed #probe #WFI #Mary #Kom #Yogeshwar #Dutt #included
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )
January 24, 2023
Plea withdrawn in Delhi HC against wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by WFI chief

[ad_1]
Delhi: Hours after a plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Monday against the sexual assault allegations on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by multiple wrestlers, it was withdrawn.
Talking to IANS, Lawyer Shrikant Prasad said that Vicky, who was the petitioner, has asked us to withdraw the plea as the matter has been highlighted a lot.
The lawyer further said that the motive to file the plea was about the misuse of law by women on sexual harassment and resorting to protests and there should be some guidelines set up in this context.
In the plea, it is said that Phogat, who is also the first respondent in the plea, started blackmailing Bhushan for resigning from the post of WFI president on the pretext of protest against the sexual harassment of the wrestlers.
It is said that the media thinks of itself as Janata Adalat and has started intervening in the proceedings of the court, the plea said.
It is contended that wrestlers, instead of moving to court, have approached the media to show their concern, said the petition.
In the petition, it has been argued that respondents (wrestlers) have crossed all their limits to approach the issue and that his reputation and dignity were being tarnished.
It further claimed that sexual harassment laws were being misused and an extortion was being done on him.

This writ petition is filed against the complete misuse of sexual harassment laws by the wrestler women, the petition read.
It is in the petition that wrestlers are trying to get their own benefits out of this issue.
A huge protest by the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar was called off following assurances from the Centre that grievances would be addressed and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was asked to step aside for four weeks.
[ad_2]
#Plea #withdrawn #Delhi #wrestlers #alleging #sexual #harassment #WFI #chief
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 23, 2023
Plea in Delhi HC against sexual harassment allegations on WFI chief

[ad_1]
New Delhi: A plea was moved in the Delhi High Court on Monday against the sexual assault allegations made on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by multiple wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia.
The lawyer, who submitted the plea said the plea has been filed by Vicky, who is Bhushan’s cook at his official residence.
In the plea, it is said that Phogat, who is also the first respondent in the plea, started blackmailing him for resigning from the post of WFI president on the pretext of protesting against the sexual harassment of the wrestlers.
It is said that the media thinks of itself as Janata Adalat and has started intervening in the proceedings of the court.
It is contended that wrestlers, instead of moving to court, have approached the media to show their concern, said the petition.
In the petition, it has been argued that respondents (wrestlers) have crossed all their limits to approach the issue and that his reputation and dignity was being tarnished.
It further claimed that sexual harassment laws were being misused and an extortion was being done on him.
This writ petition is filed against the complete misuse of sexual harassment laws by wrestler women, the petition read.

It is in the petition that wrestlers are trying to get their own benefits out of this issue.
Earlier, a huge protest by the wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar was called off following assurances from the Centre that grievances would be addressed and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was asked to step aside for four weeks.
[ad_2]
#Plea #Delhi #sexual #harassment #allegations #WFI #chief
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 23, 2023