Top women wrestlers, who have been protesting against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, have alleged that the oversight panel led by the legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom that probed the sexual harassment accusations was biased against Singh.
The complainants, in separate statements, alleged that the panel appeared biased towards Singh, who is also a BJP MP. "Even after giving my statement before the (oversight) committee whenever I visited the Federation office, the accused looked at me with distasteful and lustful eyes and made wrong gestures which made me feel insecure," said one of the complainants. The government-formed six-member panel, led by Indian boxer MC Mary Kom, had submitted its report to the government but it was not made public.
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Wrestlers claim accused Brij Bhushan is being protected
One wrestler expressed fear that her statement might not have been recorded in its entirety and may have been tampered with to protect the accused. "Even the video recording was being switched off and on while I was giving my statement and in spite of my request the committee did not supply me a copy of my video recording. I fear that my statement may not have been recorded in entirety and may also have been tampered with to protect the accused," the statement of the wrestler read further.
Another complainant claimed that she was made a part of the WFI sexual harassment committee to look into such cases without her consent. All national sports federations are supposed to have Internal Complaints Committee. "I was never issued any formal communication informing me about such approval, nor was any formal communication was received by me seeking my approval to be part of the sexual harassment committee of the Wrestling Federation of India," she said.
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She further alleged that they made her part of the said committee and then declared that she was falsely alleging to be a victim herself. "The accused, in conspiracy with accused No. 2 and other unknown persons, has deliberately done this to suppress my voice and allegations against him. He has, without my approval or consensus, made me part of the said committee and is now alleging that in spite of being part of the committee, I am falsely alleging to be a victim myself," said the complainant. T
he same 'victim' also alleged that the oversight panel did not provide her the recording when demanded. "I had serious doubts that that my statement on video may not have been recorded in entirety or may have been altered in an attempt to protect the accused and thus I requested for a copy of the video recording. However members of the oversight committee flatly turned down my request," she said.
Delhi police had justified not arresting the accused, saying both Singh and WFI Assistant Secretary Tomar complied with the law by joining the investigation. "Results of digital/electronic devices and exhibits seized and deposited with the concerned Forensic Labs are yet to be received and shall be filed through supplementary police reports. The analysis of requisitioned CDRs etc., as found appropriate for the purpose of prosecution shall also be submitted expeditiously," the police said in the charge-sheet.
The outgoing WFI chief is scheduled to appear before a trial court on Tuesday in pursuance of summons issued against him and the Federation's Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar.
