SIT examined all wrestlers, witnesses in case against Brij Bhushan Singh, say Delhi Police

The Special Investigation Team was formed after 7 wrestlers lodged complaints of sexual harassment and stalking against Singh.

Sakshi Malik, an Indian wrestler who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, leads a team of wrestlers towards the banks of the river Ganges in Haridwar, India, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (AP Photo)

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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior officers from the Delhi Police, which is investigating the sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has examined all the wrestlers and witnesses in the case, said officials. The SIT was formed after seven wrestlers, including a minor, lodged complaints of sexual harassment and stalking against Singh.

Sources said that the SIT has examined all the complainants and witnesses, including senior functionaries from WFI, in the case. Based on the investigation, the Delhi Police have also said it is not “mandatory” to arrest Singh at present as sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC) only attract a punishment of less than seven years.

An officer, who refused to be named, also said that “a fraction of the witnesses also refuted all the allegations made by the wrestlers and supported Singh”.

On Wednesday, as news broke out about the “no sufficient evidence found” claim in the case, the police posted a statement on social media denying the allegations but later removed and deleted all the messages.

“We cannot comment on the time frame for investigation in this case or what the evidence is. The investigation is still going on… SIT has been probing the matter and will submit a report to the court,” Suman Nalwa, Delhi Police spokesperson, later told reporters.

Top wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and others have been protesting against Singh for over a month. On Sunday, they were removed from Jantar Mantar and booked under sections of rioting for marching towards the new Parliament building.

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