Women wrestlers distrust oversight panel’s probe against Bhushan for favourable bias towards him

New Delhi: The women wrestlers who came forward with sexual harassment charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), alleged that the oversight panel formed to investigate the charges against him was found to be lenient and favourable towards him.

The panel assigned to investigate the case comprises six members, all appointed by the government. Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom, who holds a prominent position as the head of the panel, submitted the investigation report to the court. However, disappointingly, the report remains inaccessible to the public at this time.

Following court orders, Singh and Vinod Tomar, the Assistant Secretary of the Federation, have been summoned to appear before the court for trial. The wrestlers, under the purview of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 164, have submitted a comprehensive chargesheet consisting of 50 statements, amounting to a staggering 1599 pages.

The wrestlers who have complained about the inadequacy of the oversight committee have pointed out that Singh must have used his connections as a BJP MP and his power as the WFI Chief to get things in his favour. They also argue that his predatory behaviour has not ceased even after the probe.

"Even after giving my statement before the (oversight) committee whenever I visited the Federation office, the accused looked at me with distasteful and lustful eyes and made wrong gestures which made me feel insecure," a complaint pointed out.

The complaint of the same wrestler included the concern that "Even the video recording was being switched off and on while I was giving my statement and in spite of my request the committee did not supply me a copy of my video recording. I fear that my statement may not have been recorded in entirety and may also have been tampered with to protect the accused."

"I had serious doubts that my statement on video may not have been recorded in its entirety or may have been altered in an attempt to protect the accused and thus I requested a copy of the video recording. However, members of the oversight committee flatly turned down my request." stated another complaint.

A member of the sexual harassment committee of the WFI said that she was never asked for her explicit consent to be added as a member of the committee. This, too, they argue as a result of the WFI Chief wielding power.

The complaint further mentioned that "The accused, in conspiracy with accused No. 2 and other unknown persons, has deliberately done this to suppress my voice and allegations against him. He has, without my approval or consensus, made me part of the said committee and is now alleging that in spite of being part of the committee, I am falsely alleging to be a victim myself."

The Delhi Police’s stance on why they have not arrested the accused is because they claim that the accused has complied with the entire investigation. "Results of digital/electronic devices and exhibits seized and deposited with the concerned Forensic Labs are yet to be received and shall be filed through supplementary police reports. The analysis of requisitioned CDRs etc., as found appropriate for the purpose of prosecution shall also be submitted expeditiously," stated official statements by the Police in the chargesheet.

With PTI inputs