BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who formerly served as the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), is facing allegations of sexual harassment from wrestlers. However, TN BJP president K Annamalai emphasized that these accusations remain unsupported by evidence, highlighting the importance of following the legal process after complaints are lodged. Annamalai, a former IPS officer, explained that immediate arrests are not the norm in the majority of FIRs and that the CBI itself only records arrests during charge sheet filing, not based solely on the First Information Report.
During a press conference, Annamalai questioned the fairness of demanding an arrest without thoroughly investigating the allegations and clearing the situation at Jantar Mantar. He further argued that the Delhi police would be duty-bound to take action if concrete evidence was provided. Concerning the demand for immediate arrests following allegations, Annamalai raised the question of upholding the rule of law in the country.
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Annamalai emphasized the importance of the investigative process, stating that anyone can file a complaint, which should then undergo proper scrutiny. Only if there is sufficient evidence would an arrest be warranted, he asserted. To illustrate his point, Annamalai mentioned corruption allegations he had made against DMK ministers and questioned the ethicality of seeking their immediate arrest without due process.
In a separate incident, Delhi Police detained prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia for breaching law and order regulations in the capital city. The athletes had breached the security cordon while attempting to approach the new Parliament building for a planned women's 'Mahapanchayat.' These individuals had resumed their protest against Brij Bhushan on April 23, demanding his arrest for allegedly sexually harassing numerous female wrestlers, including a minor. The police's actions against the sportspersons drew widespread criticism.
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These statements were made during a press conference where Annamalai and Union Minister Jitendra Singh addressed the media, focusing on the achievements of the ruling NDA government over the past nine years. Singh expressed his belief that world leaders now look to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guidance and advice. He emphasized that India's stature has grown significantly during this period, making the country a potential global leader under PM Modi's capable leadership.
