Minor wrestler’s father admits to filing false sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan

New Delhi: The father of a minor wrestler told PTI on Thursday that he deliberately lodged a false complaint of sexual harassment against the WFI chief as they wanted to take revenge on him for the alleged injustice against the girl.
The shocking confession by the father significantly weakens the case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been facing sustained protests for the past six months by wrestlers who have accused him of sexual harassment. Investigation is also being done under the POCSO Act on the complaint of the minor wrestler.

When asked why he is changing his story now, he told PTI, “It is better that the truth comes out now instead of the court.” I have promised a fair probe into my daughter’s defeat (in the Asian U-17 Championship trials) last year, so it is my duty to rectify my mistake.”

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She also gave a detailed explanation for the origin of her and her daughter’s enmity against Singh, who has denied the allegations of sexual assault against the minor. The origin of the enmity dates back to the 2022 Under 17 Asian Championship trials in Lucknow when the minor lost the final and missed out on selection in the Indian team.

He blamed Brijbhushan Sharan Singh for the referee’s decision. “I was filled with anger and my child’s hard work of a year went in vain because of the referee’s decision in the final and I decided to take revenge,” he said.

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Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said that the charge sheet against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment allegations would be filed by June 15. Addressing a press conference after a marathon meeting with the protesting wrestlers, Thakur also assured that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections would be held by June 30.

Noting that the government has accepted every demand of the wrestlers, he said that the WFI will also have an internal complaints committee, which will be headed by a woman.

Thakur said the wrestlers had demanded withdrawal of cases against various academies and sportspersons as well as not allowing Singh and his associates to participate in the election process. The Sports Minister said, ‘A consensus was reached on all these issues.’

Asked about the wrestlers’ demand for Singh’s arrest, Thakur said the investigation in the case would be completed and a charge sheet would be filed by June 15. This was the second meeting between the government and the protesting wrestlers in a span of five days. The wrestlers had met Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday night and apprised him of their demands.