Tag: brij bhushan sharan singh

Wrestling Federation of India timeline | From allegations, elections to suspension

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BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with newly appointed WFI president Sanjay Singh, at his residence in New Delhi on December 21, 2023
| Photo Credit: ANI

Following is the timeline of the chain of events leading up to the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Sunday by the Sports Ministry.

It charts all the important events dating back from January 18 when the wrestlers began their protest at Jantar Mantar to the suspension of the Sanjay Singh-led WFI panel which was elected on December 21.

January 18:Wrestlers begin protest at Jantar Mantar, accuse WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan of sexual exploitation and intimidation, demand his resignation and dissolution WFI.

January 19: CWG champion wrestler and BJP member Babita Phogat meets wrestlers, says she will speak to the government.

January 20: Wrestlers write a complaint letter to IOA president PT Usha, demand the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the allegations and appointment of a new committee to run WFI.

IOA forms a seven-member committee, including M C Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, to probe the allegations of sexual harassment.

January 21:Wrestlers call off protest after meeting Thakur. Sports minister says an Oversight Committee will be formed to probe the allegations and Brij Bhushan will step aside till the probe is completed.

January 21: Sports Ministry asks WFI to suspend all ongoing activities with immediate effect and schedule emergency AGM meeting of WFI. Assistant secretary of WFI Vinod Tomar suspended.

January 23:Forms 5-member Oversight Committee (OC), led by Mary Kom, to look into the allegations. OC given 4 weeks to complete probe.

January 24: Protesting wrestlers express disappointment that they were not consulted by the government on the choice of the OC members.

February 23: OC’s tenure extended by two weeks.

April 16: WFI announces election on May 7 after the OC’s report is submitted to the Sports Ministry. Report not made public.

April 23: Wrestlers return to Jantar Mantar, say 7 female wrestlers, including a minor, have filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan. Claim police has not yet registered an FIR. Wrestlers ask Sports Ministry to make OC’s findings public.

April 24: Sports Ministry stalls May 7 elections. Asks IOA to constitute an ad-hoc body to conduct the polls within 45 days of its formation.

April 25:Wrestlers move Supreme Court seeking registration of FIR against Brij Bhushan. SC issues notice to Delhi police.

April 27: Formation of 3-member panel by IOA.

May 3: Scuffle breaks out between the wrestlers and Delhi Police, leading to head injuries to a couple of protesters. Protesters accuse “drunk officials of manhandling” them and “misbehaving” with the female wrestlers. The altercation led to detention while some wrestlers also sustained injuries.

May 4:SC closes proceedings on a plea by 3 women wrestlers, who levelled sexual harassment charges after noting that FIRs have been registered and the 7 complainants have been provided adequate security.

May 5: Delhi police record statements of wrestlers, who have filed complaints of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan.

May 10: Wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan to take NARCO test.

May 11: Police records Brij Bhushan’s statement.

May 28: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with other protesters, booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty, while they attempt to march towards the new Parliament, being inaugurated by PM.

May 30: International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW) condemn the police’s handling and detention of the Indian wrestlers, calling it “very disturbing.” Wrestlers arrive in Haridwar to immerse medals.

June 7: Protest halted after Thakur assures them that the police investigation against Brij Bhushan would be concluded and the pending WFI elections would be conducted by June 30.

June 8: Father of the minor wrestler tells PTI that they deliberately filed a false police complaint against WFI chief because they wanted to get back at him.

June 12: IOA appoints former J&K High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar as returning officer.

June 13:WFI election scheduled for July 6.

June 15:Delhi Police files charge sheet before court.

June 19: IOA ad-hoc panel calls five disaffiliated State wrestling units for hearing on June 21.

June 21: The IOA ad-hoc panel reschedules WFI elections to July 11 after five disaffiliated state bodies, seeking voting rights for the polls, present their cases in hearing.

June 22: The IOA ad-hoc panel reduces Asian Games and World Championship selection to a one-bout contest for six protesting wrestlers.

June 23: Several coaches, parents of wrestlers demand withdrawal of exemption given to six wrestlers.

June 25: The Gauhati High Court stays WFI elections, scheduled for July 11, on a petition filed by the Assam Wrestling Association.

July 18:Delhi court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan.

Bajrang and Vinesh get direct entries into the Asian Games.

July 19: Young wrestlers hit Hisar streets to protest against “unfair trial exemption”.

WFI election scheduled for August 7.

July 20: Many junior wrestlers, their parents and coaches reach IOA headquarters, demand withdrawal of exemption granted to Vinesh and Bajrang.

WFI election rescheduled for August 12.

August 11: Punjab and Haryana High Court stay WFI elections scheduled for August 12, following a petition filed by the Haryana Wrestling Association.

August 23: Wresting world body UWW suspends WFI for not conducting its elections on time.

December 5: WFI elections scheduled on December 21.

December 21: Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan loyalist, elected as the new WFI chief.

December 21: Bajrang and Sakshi hold press conference where the latter quit wrestling in protest against Singh’s election.

December 22:Bajrang returns Padma Shri in protest against Sanjay Singh’s election.

December 24: The Sports Ministry suspends WFI till further orders after the newly-elected body made a “hasty announcement” of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals “without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers” to prepare.

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Morning Digest: May 2, 2023

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India leads five countries named as the “Laundromat” countries that buy Russian oil and sell processed products to European countries, thus sidestepping European sanctions against Russia, says a Helsinki-based group. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

India leads ‘Laundromat’ countries buying Russian crude and selling oil products to Europe: report

India leads five countries named as the “Laundromat” countries that buy Russian oil and sell processed products to European countries, thus sidestepping European sanctions against Russia, says a Helsinki-based group that cited the latest figures for the first quarter of 2023. The report accused Indian sellers and European buyers of possibly “circumventing sanctions” by selling crude products from a refinery in Gujarat that is co-owned by Russian oil company Rosneft.

Yellen says U.S. could hit debt ceiling as soon as June 1

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen notified Congress on May 1 that the U.S. is projected to reach its debt limit as early as June 1, if the body does not raise or suspend the debt limit before then. While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine remains a burden on U.S. economic growth, Treasury officials say the debate over the debt ceiling poses the greatest risk to the U.S. financial position.

Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea from May 2-8

In a further step, in the expanding India-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) military cooperation, the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) is set to begin on May 2 with war games in South China Sea.  Navy Chief Adm. R. Hari Kumar is in Singapore for the exercise as well as to take part in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) being hosted by Singapore.

U.P. urban local body polls: India’s border with Nepal to be sealed Tuesday

India’s border with Nepal will be sealed on May 2, 48-hours before urban local body polls here, to prevent anti-social elements from crossing the boundary and vitiating the election atmosphere, officials said. Urban local body elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in two phases — on Thursday (May 4) and May 11. The votes will be counted on May 13. Maharajganj will go to the polls during the first phase of elections on Thursday.

Centre bans 14 apps in J&K citing use by terror organisations

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Can hang me but don’t stop wrestling activities: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on May 1 that ever since the top wrestlers of the country began protesting, all sports related activities had come to a standstill. Speaking to the media, Mr. Singh said, “Wrestling activities have come to a standstill since the last four months, I say hang me, but don’t stop wrestling activities and don’t play with the children’s future. Cadet nationals should be allowed to take place, whoever is organising it, either Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, but don’t stop the wrestling activities.”

May Day: World’s workers rally, France sees pension anger

People squeezed by inflation and demanding economic justice took to streets across Asia and Europe to mark May Day on May 1, in an outpouring of worker discontent from Tokyo to Pakistan to France not seen since before the worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns. While May Day is marked around the world as a celebration of labour rights, this year’s rallies tapped into broader frustrations

Ludhiana gas leak: Night-long efforts undertaken to decontaminate affected area, says official

A portion of the Giaspura locality in Punjab’s Ludhiana where 11 people died allegedly after inhaling toxic gas remained cordoned off on May 1 while the district authorities said the affected area underwent a night-long decontamination process. Eleven people, including three children, died after allegedly inhaling toxic gas in the city’s thickly populated Giaspura locality on Sunday, with high levels of Hydrogen sulphide detected in the air and authorities suspecting that it emanated from a sewer.

Japan to train 1,000 Indian engineers before transfer of bullet train tech

Up to 1,000 Indian engineers will be trained by Japanese experts before starting work on the High-Speed Rail Track system for Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor (MAHSR). “Up to 20 Japanese experts will impart intensive training to the Indian engineers, supervisors and technicians and certify their skills. This will also help in ‘Transfer of Technology’ of Japanese HSR track system,” said Rajendra Prasad, MD, NHSRCL.

Despite truce, Sudan near ‘breaking point’, says UN

Gun battles and explosions again rocked Sudan’s capital on May 1 despite the latest truce formally agreed between the warring parties as the UN warned the humanitarian crisis had brought the country near its “breaking point”. More than 500 people have been reported killed since fighting erupted on April 15 between Sudan’s Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 34, damages homes

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LSG vs RCB: Bangalore beats Lucknow by 18 runs in low-scoring encounter

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Morning Digest: April 30, 2023

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365 passengers landed at IGI airport from Sudan under Operation Kaveri, in New Delhi on April 29, 2023
| Photo Credit: ANI

Ahead of Amarnath Yatra, security agencies discuss safeguarding of Kashmir highway

With the Amarnath yatra just two months away, security agencies on Saturday discussed ways and means to tackle threats like vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices in south Kashmir. Officials said securing the national highway, which connects Jammu with the Srinagar and the Amarnath route in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, remained the focus of the meeting. The threat posed by vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and other potential militant threats were debated and counter-measures were discussed, they said.

Quarantine facilities being set up for those arriving from Sudan, says Centre

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Access to basic supplies restricted at protest site, say wrestlers

Wrestler Bajrang Punia on Friday night took to Instagram to accuse the Delhi Police of restricting supply of electricity and rations. “At the protest site, they (police) have cut off electricity and have barricaded the site, making it difficult for us to access basic necessities like food and water, they even asked us to end our protest as FIRs have been registered against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh,” Mr. Punia said, in his Instagram video.

ED raid on edutech unicorn Byju’s in Bengaluru under ‘FEMA violations’

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SEBI seeks 6-month extension to complete Adani probe

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Government likely to ask addicts to submit for rehabilitation to avoid jail time

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Centre plans an ‘overhaul’ of its research institutions

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Operation Kaveri: Fresh batch of 365 people return home from Sudan

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100th episode of PM Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to be broadcast live in United Nations headquarters

The 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ will be broadcast live in the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Consulate General of India in New York, along with community organisations, is also hosting the broadcast of the 100th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ for members of the Indian-American and diaspora community in New Jersey during a special event at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

PM must break his silence on allegations raised by Satya Pal Malik: Congress

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L-G Saxena seeks report in connection with Arvind Kejriwal’s residence renovation irregularity rowc

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Satwik-Chirag become first Indian men’s doubles pair to enter Badminton Asia Championships final

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Wrestlers Vs WFI sexual harassment row: From Jantar Mantar to Supreme Court, the story so far

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The four-month-long tussle between Indian women wrestlers and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has reached the Supreme Court. On April 24, an SC bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud decided to examine the petition filed by seven women wrestlers against Mr. Singh alleging sexual harassment.

Wrestlers Vs WFI: What triggered the row?

On January 18, thirty Indian wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya and others staged a silent sit-in protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, alleging that he and several coaches had sexually harassed many girls.

Speaking to ANI, 28-year-old Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Vinesh Phogat said, “Some coaches who are favourites of the federation misbehave with women coaches as well. They sexually harass girls. The WFI president has sexually harassed so many girls”. While Ms. Phogat clarified that she herself did not face this issue, she said she had received death threats at the behest of Mr. Singh.

Refuting any wrongdoing, Mr. Singh said that he “would hang himself if any such incident had happened”. Taking a jibe at the protesting wrestlers, he said they had not contested any national tournament after the Olympics. He added that the main issue of the protest was the new rules and regulations brought in by the WFI.

New Delhi: Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and others during their ongoing protest against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
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Wrestlers’ grievances

As no action was initiated against Mr. Singh, the wrestlers continued their protest at Jantar Mantar. Moreover, Olympians Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alleged that the WFI was ‘harassing wrestlers through its arbitrary rules and regulations’. They also accused the WFI of interfering with their personal lives and failing to provide adequate coaching and medical support. Their demands included police investigation against Mr. Singh, his removal as WFI chief and disbanding of the WFI.

With the protest gaining media attention and the support of several Opposition parties, on January 19, the Sports Ministry sought an explanation from WFI within seventy-two hours regarding the allegations. The Ministry also cancelled the Women National Wrestling Coaching camp, scheduled for January 18, as the wrestlers remained adamant in their demand for disbanding the WFI immediately.

The Centre’s response

On January 19, a meeting was held between government officials and the protesting wrestlers to iron out the issues, followed by a meeting with Union Sports Minster Anurag Thakur.

After a second meeting betwthe een the wrestlers and Mr. Thakur on January 20, protests were called off with the assurance that the Centre will form an oversight committee to investigate the allegations against Mr. Singh. On January 21, the Sports Ministry suspended WFI’s assistant secretary Vinod Tomar to ensure proper functioning of WFI, halted WFI’s ongoing activities with immediate effect and asked Mr. Singh to step aside till the month-long investigation was completed.

On January 23, a six-member committee headed by boxing champion M C Mary Kom was constituted to investigate the charges against Mr. Singh and manage the day-to-day affairs of the WFI. Besides Ms. Kom, the committee comprised former wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, ex-badminton player Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Capt Rajagopalan, SAI executive director Radhica Sreeman and ex-wrestler Babita Phogat.

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur along with wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Babita Phogat and Ravi Kumar Dahiya address a joint press conference at his residence, in New Delhi on January 21, 2023

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur along with wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshee Malikkh, Babita Phogat and Ravi Kumar Dahiya address a joint press conference at his residence, in New Delhi on January 21, 2023
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Oversight committee probe into Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh 

After a two-week tenure extension, the committee filed its final report on April 5. On February 28, Mr. Singh appeared before the committee for questioning as part of the inquiry.

On April 16, Mr. Singh — a six-time MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda, Balrampur and Kaiserganj — stated that he would not contest for the president’s post in the WFI election on May 7. Mr. Singh has served three four-year terms as WFI president and is ineligible to contest for the top post as per the Sports Code. However, he can contest for another WFI post after a four-year cooling-off period.

Mr. Singh, 66, a wrestler himself, is a strongman from UP’s electorally significant Bahraich belt. Known for his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Mr. Singh is one of the accused in the Babri demolition case. As per his 2019 election affidavit, he also faces four criminal cases including charges of robbery and an attempt to murder, and was once charged under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).

The Kaiserganj MP enjoys massive support in the Gonda-Balrampur belt and hence action against him by the BJP will be highly unlikely, say party leaders. Touting Mr. Singh as the ‘pride of Uttar Pradesh’, his supporters have turned the probe into a state issue, claimingthat the charges against him were falsely levelled by players ‘of a particular region’ — alluding to the wrestlers’ Haryana roots. Mr. Singh has also alleged that the protesting wrestlers are ‘puppets in the hands of Haryana Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda’.

Gonda: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh speaks with the media regarding recent allegations of sexual harassment against him, in Gonda district, Friday, Jan 20, 2023.

Gonda: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh speaks with the media regarding recent allegations of sexual harassment against him, in Gonda district, Friday, Jan 20, 2023.
| Photo Credit:
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Filing of probe report and further protests

On April 5, the committee filed its final report to the Union Sports Ministry after questioning multiple victims, witnesses and Mr. Singh himself. However, ex-wrestler Babita Phogat objected to the way the probe was conducted and alleged that she was not privy to the full report and that witnesses’ statements were not cross-verified.  Speaking to PTI, Ms. Phogat accused Radhica Sreeman of not allowing her to read the report as her family was involved in the protest. Ms. Sreeman has refuted these allegations.

While the panel’s report has not been made public, PTI reported that Mr. Singh was given a clean chit with a 5-1 verdict.

On April 23, Indian wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik resumed protests at the Jantar Mantar, claiming that nothing had been done to resolve their issues. The wrestlers demanded that the panel’s findings be made public and threatened to approach the Supreme Court as Mr. Singh is yet to face any action.

Interacting with the media, a teary-eyed Sakshi Malik said that seven female wrestlers including a minor have each filed a sexual harassment complaint with the Delhi police against Mr. Singh. However, the Delhi police is yet to file an FIR in the case, she said.

“We are being framed as liars which we cannot bear. We are waiting for two and a half months now but no one is listening,” she added.

The wrestlers have also accused Mr. Singh of intimidation in their police complaint. Moreover, Vinesh Phogat hit out at sister Babita Phogat — an oversight panel member — saying she was more worried about her political career than the cause of the wrestlers.

The Delhi police sought a report from the oversight committee and stated that an FIR will be filed ‘after concrete evidence comes to light’.

Backing the wrestlers, Congress’s Bhupinder Hooda and Udit Raj, CPM’s Brinda Karat, Hannan Mollah, and A. R. Sindhu, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Reena Gupta met with protesters at Jantar Mantar on April 24, while the CPI-linked National Federation of Indian Women protested outside Delhi police headquarters, demanding action. Several Haryana leaders like Bhupinder Hooda, Deepender Hooda and heads of many khap-panchayats too have thrown their weight behind the wrestlers.

New Delhi: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat (centre), Sangita Phogat (right) and Sakshi Malik during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Wednesday, April 26, 2023

New Delhi: Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat (centre), Sangita Phogat (right) and Sakshi Malik during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Wednesday, April 26, 2023
| Photo Credit:
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The Supreme Court steps in

On April 25, the Supreme Court termed the allegations against Mr. Singh as ‘serious’ and listed the petition on non-registration of FIR against the WFI chief on April 28. At the request of the petitioners, their details have been redacted from the court’s records. As per the petition, the incidents of sexual abuse allegedly occurred between 2012 and 2022 during domestic and international wrestling competitions, sometimes at Mr. Singh’s official MP bungalow in New Delhi. One of the complainants alleged that she was harassed when she was sixteen, seeking action against Mr. Singh under the POCSO Act.

“There are serious allegations of sexual harassment in the petition, which is instituted by professional international wrestlers who have represented India,” stated the SC bench, listing the matter for April 28.

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