Sports minister says justice will be done to wrestlers; charge sheet to be filed soon
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File photo of BJP MP and WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
New Delhi: Amid the growing ire over the authorities' alleged apathy towards the demands raised by India's top wrestlers, mainly action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan, Union Information & Broadcasting Broadcasting and Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur on Friday seemingly assuaged feelings saying that justice will be done as police will soon file a charge sheet.
Thakur also pointed out that the wrestling governing body now has no authority in managing the daily affairs of the sport. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has put in place an ad-hoc panel to look after the body's affairs pending a final resolution about holding election to WFI's next term.
The minister added that WFI is not involved in any of its routine business as the day-to-day affairs are being looked after by a committee of administrators formed by IOA.
"Justice will be delivered in due time. There should be speedy justice in any crime committed against women," the minister added.
Thakur said that he had met the protesting wrestlers in January to hear their grievances and formed a committee to probe the matter.
"We also added members recommended by wrestlers and a probe was conducted which was handed over to the Delhi Police," he said.
"We have listened to the wrestlers at all the steps and done everything they have asked us to do..." Thakur added.
People should wait for the police investigation to be completed and a charge sheet is filed, the minister said.
"The wrestlers have been protesting for 38 days and we never had any issue with that as we want them to get justice. We don't want to take any side and should wait for the truth," Thakur said further.
On the question of morality, as the WFI chief belongs to the ruling BJP, the minister said, "The investigation is on, let that get over. We don't want to take any side and we are doing everything to ensure wrestlers get justice but that will only happen when the probe is complete. Let's wait till then."
The minister however stopped short of commenting on the protesting wrestlers' demand that the BJP MP should be arrested or about what steps the party would take in the interim and in the wake of the serious allegation, other than waiting for the panel's findings.
(IANS input with minor edits)