Wrestlers' Protest: 'There is Lot of Pressure on the Minor's Family,' Says Sakshi Malik

NEW DELHI: Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik, who has been involved in a wrestler's protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has revealed that Singh's name appears in the filed chargesheet. Malik spoke to reporters, expressing concern about the pressure faced by the family of a minor wrestler involved in the case. She stated that the further course of action would be decided once their remaining demands are met by the government.

"He (Brij Bhusan Sharan Singh) has been named in the chargesheet submitted by police yesterday. In the minor's case, it is clear that there is a lot of pressure on the family. We will decide on the further course of action after our remaining demands are met by the government," Sakshi Malik said.

On June 15, the Delhi Police filed a 1,000-page chargesheet at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. This chargesheet marks the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged sexual harassment charges made by women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for July 4.

Atul Srivastava, the Special Public Prosecutor, stated that in the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the police report has been submitted after the completion of the investigation, requesting the cancellation of the case based on the statements of the victim's father and the victim herself.

Previously, a case was filed by women wrestlers who accused Singh of sexual harassment. Prominent wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik staged a prolonged protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding Singh's arrest. The wrestlers temporarily halted their protest until June 15, after receiving assurances from Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur that the chargesheet would be filed by that date.

Sakshi Malik stated that the chargesheet clearly indicates Singh's guilt, but they are waiting to obtain a copy of the chargesheet to examine its contents and verify the charges. Their next course of action will depend on whether the promises made to them are being fulfilled. The chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh includes sections 354, 354D, 345A, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.

While wrestlers continue to demonstrate against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) said that elections will take place on July 6. The WFI elections' newly appointed returning officer, Mahesh Mittal Kumar, said this.

Since the beginning of the year, wrestlers and Olympians including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia have been protesting in the nation's capital to call for the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on charges of sexual harassment.

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