NEW DELHI: Allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including touching, pulling up T-shirts, touching breasts and buttocks, groping, attempts to come closer, and rude behaviour towards female wrestlers, have been made against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by six national and international level wrestlers. These allegations are detailed in the FIR filed by Delhi Police on April 28 at Connaught Place Police Station. The wrestlers have accused WFI secretary Vinod Tomar of assisting Singh in his actions.
The FIRs have been filed under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, which carry a potential jail term of one to three years. The FIR based on the complaint from the minor’s father also includes Section 10 of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), which carries a potential imprisonment of five to seven years.
Here are wrestlers’ version-
Wrestler number 1: The first instance of sexual assault by the accused occurred during a championship held from August 15th to August 21, 2022. While I was training, the accused called me aside. I refused because I had witnessed the accused inappropriately touching other girls. However, he called me again, pulled up my T-shirt, and slid his hand down my stomach, pretending to check my breathing. I noticed that none of the female wrestlers went out alone during our stay at the hotel. Despite this, the accused managed to book a room on the same floor as ours and would walk around the hallway and lobby wearing a lungi. He would also offer unapproved items to engage in conversation with us.
Wrestler number 2: During the 2018 Asian Championship in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, the accused approached me while I was stretching on the mat. He leaned in, pulled up my T-shirt, and placed his hand on my breast and stomach, claiming to check my breathing. I was shocked and unable to react. In 2019, when I visited the federation office in New Delhi with my brother, I was called into the accused’s room. My brother was asked to stay behind without any reason. As soon as I entered, the accused closed the door, pulled me towards himself, and made forceful physical contact. I ran away from the office, feeling extremely uncomfortable. It was then that I decided to raise my voice against the sexual harassment and mental harassment by the accused.
Wrestler number 3: In March 2022, during a championship, while waiting for a team photograph, the accused stood next to me. I suddenly felt his hand on my buttock and, when I tried to move away, he held me by the shoulder. I managed to free myself and sat in the first row away from the accused during the photograph. I kept quiet to protect my career.
Wrestler number 4: During a championship in 2021, the accused asked me personal questions and forcefully pulled me towards him for a picture. I resisted his advances and ran away from the ceremony to protect my dignity.
Wrestler number 5: In 2012, after winning a championship, the accused called me to his room. He hugged me forcefully without my permission, making me uncomfortable. He also tried to bribe me by offering to buy me supplements in exchange for sexual favors. Due to his continuous calls and stalking, I suffered mentally and lived in fear.
Wrestler number 6: During a championship in 2016, the accused called me to his dinner table at a hotel restaurant. He groped my breast and slid his hand down to my stomach repeatedly. I was shocked and traumatised, unable to react or report the incident.