Supporters of wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh during a protest march, in Gurugram, Thursday, June 1, 2023. (PTI Photo)
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AT least two instances of demanding “sexual favours” in lieu of professional assistance; at least 15 incidents of sexual harassment that include 10 episodes of inappropriate touching, molestation that includes running hands over breasts, touching the navel; several instances of intimidation including stalking — and a shared sense of fear and trauma. These form the key allegations in two FIRs filed with the Delhi Police on April 28 against Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh.
Both the FIRs cite IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 34 (common intention) that carry a jail term of one to three years. The first FIR covers the allegations of six adult wrestlers and also names WFI secretary Vinod Tomar. The second FIR is based on the complaint of a minor’s father and also invokes Section 10 of the POCSO Act which entails five to seven years of imprisonment. The incidents mentioned allegedly took place in India and overseas from 2012 to 2022.
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The minor’s complaint, filed by her father, alleges that his daughter was “completely disturbed and cannot be at peace anymore …sexual harassment by the accused (Singh) continues to haunt her”.
Below are the salient allegations, according to the FIRs.
Sangeeta Phogat and Vinesh Phogat being detained by police. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
The minor’s allegations
“Holding her tightly, pretending to get a picture clicked, the accused (Singh) squeezed her towards himself, pressed hard on her shoulder and then deliberately…brushed his hands against her breasts”.
“She clearly told the accused (Singh) she had already told him that she was not interested in having any sort of physical relationship and that he should stop stalking her…”
The FIR concerning the six adult wrestlers alleges a series of Singh’s inappropriate advances.
“One day while I was out for dinner in the hotel restaurant, the accused (Singh) called me separately to his dinner table…to my utter shock and surprise and without my consent, placed his hand on my breast and groped me and then slid his hand down to my stomach. To my disbelief, the accused (Singh) did not stop there and again moved his hand upwards to my breast. He groped my breast and then slid down his hand to my stomach and then back to my breast repeatedly for 3-4 times.”
In Singh’s WFI office, “he started touching me inappropriately on my palm, knee, thighs and shoulders without my consent. I started shivering at that very moment.” She added: “While we were sitting he was touching his legs against mine… touched my knees…He put his hand on my breast and slid it down my stomach on the pretext of examining/checking my breathing…his only “intention was to touch me inappropriately with the intent to outrage my modesty.”
Wrestler 2
“While I was lying down on the mat, the accused (Singh) came near me and to my shock and surprise leaned in and, in the absence of my coach, without seeking my permission pulled up my T-shirt, placed his hand on my breast and slid it down my stomach on the pretext of examining/checking my breathing”
“On my visit to the federation office… I was called into the room of the accused (Singh)… my brother, who was accompanying me, was categorically asked to stay back…The accused (Singh), upon the departure of other persons, closed the door… pulled me towards himself and tried making forceful physical contact with me”.
Wrestler 3
“He made me talk to my parents on the phone, since at that time I did not possess a personal mobile phone…the accused (Singh) called me towards his bed where he was sitting and then all of a sudden, he hugged me forcefully without my permission.”
“To further fulfil his sexual intentions, he also tried to bribe me by offering to buy me supplements which I may require as an athlete in exchange for sexual favours”.
Wrestler 4
“I was called by the accused (Singh) who pulled up my T-shirt and slid his hand down my stomach and put his hand on my navel on the pretext of checking my breath.”
“Since the accused (Singh) was always on the lookout to engage in inappropriate talk/gestures…girls, including myself collectively agreed to not go alone for breakfast, lunch or dinner”.
“While I was standing in the last row (for team photograph)… the accused (Singh) came and stood alongside me. I suddenly felt a hand on my buttock. I was stunned by the actions of the accused (Singh) while they were highly indecent and objectionable and without my consent… when I tried moving away, I was forcibly held by my shoulder.”
Wrestler 6
“On the pretext of getting a picture clicked with me, he pulled me towards him by my shoulder… to protect myself, I tried moving away from the accused (Singh)… Since I was not comfortable with the behaviour of the accused of forcing me, I, in order to escape, (his) clutches, repeatedly resisted his attempts and tried to push him away to which he (threatened): “Zyada smart bann rahi hai kya…aage koi competition nahi khelne kya tune?” (Acting too smart? You don’t want to be considered for tournaments in the future?)
