As per a report of LiveLaw, the Court stated that “This court has found sufficient material on record to frame charges against accused no. 1 Brij Bhushan Saran Singh for the offences under Section 354 (outraging modesty of woman) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code regarding victims no. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.”

In addition to this, Judge Rajpoot said that there is also sufficient material on record to frame charges against Singh for the offence punishable under Section 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC with respect two wrestlers. However, the judge discharged Singh in the allegations levelled by victim no. 6.

“As regard Victim No 6, Accused No 1 Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stands discharged,” the Court had noted.

On the other hand, for accused no. 2, namely Vinod Tomar who was the former assistant secretary of the WFI, the court framed charges under Section 506 part 1 (criminal intimidation) regarding victim no 1. For the remaining offences, he stood discharged as per the report.

“He is discharged from the offence of abetment with regard to all the accused,” the Court said.

The framing of charges comes after the Delhi Court had dismissed Singh’s application seeking further investigation and examination of evidence in the case and for making further submissions on framing of charges on April 26, 2024. Singh had claimed that he was not in India on the date – September 7, 2022 – in question. Notably, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava, representing the Delhi Police, had opposed the application, arguing that the timing of the request was strategic and intended to prolong the case. He had also stressed the potential legal ramifications of reopening the investigation at this stage.

Brief history of the case:

On June 15, 2023 Delhi Police had charge sheeted the BJP MP under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 109 (abetment) of IPC was additionally invoked against Tomar. A minor wrestler had also levelled allegations against Singh. However, she later withdrew her complaint and the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report in that case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

Singh had been given bail by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal on July 20. Since this case, Singh is yet to see inside the of a jail as he has been out on bail along with co-accused Vinod Tomar.

In the arguments submitted by the Delhi police through Additional public prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava that Singh had “outraged the modesty” of the women wrestlers who filed harassment charges against him at every opportunity he got. The APP had also told the court that the former WFI chief “knew what he was doing” and his intention was to outrage the modesty of the wrestlers, which he also tried to cover up. It was further submitted that Singh justified that his acts were carried out in a father-like capacity while reacting to the victims’ statement that Bhushan used to touch their breast on the pretext of checking their breathing capacity.

The BJP lawmaker had been accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. The alleged incidents of sexual harassment are said to have occurred between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, at Singh’s official residence and also abroad, according to media reports. Notably, in the current Lok Sabha elections, Singh was dropped by the BJP for the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat this time and the ticket was given to his son Karan.

Related:

Journalist Aman Chopra casually visits a gaushala with sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Singh

Wrestler Sakshi Malik quits wrestling as close aid of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan gets elected as president

Delhi Police on Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case: “Liable to be prosecuted and punished for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking”

The post Delhi Court frames charges against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, says it found sufficient material on record to charge with sexual harassment of 5 wrestlers appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Chopra has also posted three photos in the said social media post, where he can be seen casually walking and feeding cows along with the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

His post on X can be viewed here:

अयोध्या दौरे के दौरान @b_bhushansharan के साथ उनकी गौशाला गया। pic.twitter.com/IeswK6Y8BV

— Aman Chopra (@AmanChopra_) January 17, 2024

This comes after multiple wrestlers in December had returned their awards in protest to a close aid of Singh, namely Sanjay Singh, being appointed as the president of the WFI. Bajrang Punia had returned his Padma Shri award and Vinesh Phogat had also returned her Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award. Both of these, who had led the Wrestlers protest against Singh since January 2023 and shed their light on the exploitative culture prevailing at the WFI had also written separate open letters addressed to PM Modi expressing their anguish and disappointment. Later, Virender Singh Yadav had also supported the Wrestlers in this movement, and had returned Padma Shri award.

It is crucial to note that Sakshi Malik, who was also the main force behind the Wrestlers protest had announced at a conference that she will be retiring from wrestling.

It is also pertinent to highlight here that the sexual harassment and sexual abuse case against Singh is ongoing in the Delhi court and is at the stage of framing of charges. Arguments against Singh by the Delhi Police have come to a conclusion and the counsel for the complainants, the six wrestlers who have raised the allegations against Singh, will be beginning on January 20.

In the arguments submitted by the Delhi police through Additional public prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava that Singh had “outraged the modesty” of the women wrestlers who filed harassment charges against him at every opportunity he got. The APP also told the court that the former WFI chief “knew what he was doing” and his intention was to outrage the modesty of the wrestlers, which he also tried to cover up. It was further submitted that Singh justified that his acts were carried out in a father-like capacity while reacting to the victims’ statement that Bhushan used to touch their breast on the pretext of checking their breathing capacity.

Related:

Wrestler Sakshi Malik quits wrestling as close aid of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan gets elected as president

Sexual harassment, stalking and molestation accused Brij Bhushan granted two day interim bail by Delhi Court

Delhi Police on Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case: “Liable to be prosecuted and punished for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking”

The post Journalist Aman Chopra casually visits a gaushala with sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Singh appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“I am granting bail on a bond of ₹25,000 each with certain conditions,” Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal said, after having reserved it in the afternoon.

While granting bail, the Delhi court imposed two conditions on him: to not leave the country without its prior permission, and to not offer any inducement to witnesses in the case. It is essential to emphasise here that the minor wrestler complainant had withdrawn her complaint against Singh citing threats and fear of life. Nevertheless, the accused were granted interim bail.

Neither opposing nor supporting the application: Delhi Police

While the hearing for the grant of regular bail to the accused was going on, the public prosecutor, representing Delhi Police, asked the court to try the accused as per law and impose certain conditions if relief was granted.

Shockingly, when the court asked the prosecutor if he was opposing the bail application, he said, “I am neither opposing nor supporting.” The prosecutor further told the court that “Application should be dealt as per law and the order passed by the court.”

It is essential to highlight here that based on the chargesheet, filed on June 13, the Delhi Police had said that in view of the “investigation so far,” Singh is “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking”. And sadly, today, they did not even oppose the bail petition.

Accused is very influential: Counsel for the complainants

The counsel who appeared for the complainants opposed the application of Brij Bhushan, saying the accused was very influential. “Bail should not be granted. If at all it is granted, strict conditions must be imposed. Witnesses have been approached from time to time, no threat though,” he told the court. Brij Bhushan’s counsel then told the court that he will abide by all conditions.

Background of the case:

On July 18, a Delhi court had granted two-day interim bail to Singh and Vinod Tomar in the said case. Notable, the Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against a six-time MP under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The sections include 354 (pertaining to assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (related to sexual harassment), 354D (concerning stalking), and 506 (relating to criminal intimidation).

Related:

Delhi Police on Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case: “Liable to be prosecuted and punished for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking”

Delhi police file chargesheet against BJP MP Brij Bhushan, submits cancellation report in POCSO Case

Coach accused of threatening Brij Bhushan complainants was also named in a wrestler’s 2017 sexual harassment FIR

Warning or threat, accused MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sends ‘message’ to BJP’s top brass: UP

Delhi Police informs of formation of SIT in the case of sexual harassment allegations being levelled against Brij Bhushan Singh

Committee gives May 21 deadline for arrest of Brij Bhushan; its our protest not “hijacked”by farmers: Vinesh Phogat

The post From “liable to be prosecuted” to “neither opposing nor supporting bail”: The curious case of Delhi Police appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It is essential to note here that the said charge sheet had been filed by the police on June 13, after India’s top wrestlers had organised a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, led by prominent wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, for over 37 days and raised their voices against the lack of action initiated against their complaints of sexual harassment against Singh. The protest, which began April 23, lasted until the police detained them for violating law and order for attempting to organise a gathering in front of the new parliament on its inaugural day on May 28. It is further crucial to highlight here that in the month of April, the wrestlers had to approach the Supreme Court to get the Delhi Police to register the first information report against Singh.

Initially, seven wrestlers, including a minor had lodged a complaint against Singh’s alleged misconduct; however, days later the minor complainant withdrew her statement before a district magistrate. The Express report provides that across six cases, the police has invoked Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman); 354 A (sexual harassment); and 354 D (stalking) in the charge sheet. Furthermore, it has also been flagged in the said charge sheet that in one case, Singh’s harassment was “repeated and continuing”. It is essential to highlight here that if convicted, these charges could lead to a potential prison sentence of up to five years.

The Indian Express report added that Delhi police has requested the court to summon Singh and the witnesses. As per the charge sheet, the police spoke to 108 witnesses of whom 15, including wrestlers, coaches, and referees, corroborated the allegations made by the wrestlers.

As reported by the Express, according to an annexure in the charge sheet, in his questioning by the Delhi Police, Singh denied all allegations and claimed he had never met the wrestlers and didn’t have their phone numbers.

Singh was summoned by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court in the matter on Friday, July 7, which had noted that there was enough evidence against Singh to proceed with the case. He has now been directed to appear before the court on July 18.s

Singh’s reaction to the charge sheet, misbehaviour with a female journalist on camera

Pursuant to the filing of the charge sheet, a video showing Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh misbehaving with a female journalist from Times Now has gone viral over social media. In the said video, Singh can be seen walking out of Delhi airport with body guards, when a female journalist from Times Now asks for his comment over the charge sheet filed against him. At first, Singh denies to make any comment. When she asks sexual harassment accused Singh on whether he will be resigning from his post as a minister with the BJP party, Singh starts screaming at the female journalist and misbehaving with her.

The reporter then highlights what has been mentioned in the charge sheet, that Singh had continuously sexually harassed one of the complaints, the BJP MP, who was getting in the car, tries to shut the car’s door on the hands of the reporter. As the reporter does not bow down and continues with her questions, Singh then closes the door with such intensity that the mic in the hands of the female journalist breaks.

The video can be viewed here:

VIP Arrogance on Cam!

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh “misbehaves” with TIMES NOW’s team and breaks the mic when asked tough questions by TIMES NOW’s @tejshreethought – WATCH. pic.twitter.com/XgWhs9KcM1

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) July 11, 2023

Related:

Clear case of re-victimisation: Former SC judge Madan B Lokur on Delhi Police’s handling of women wrestlers case

Protesting wrestlers will resume stir, say govt not ready to arrest WFI chief by June 15

“I changed my statement because I was scared, my family is living under constant threat”: father of the minor wrestlers’ complainant

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

When Will Society Hold Men Accountable for Patriarchy

WFI leadership accused of sexual harassment by Indian women wrestlers, absence of redressal mechanisms the focus

Battling the Indian sports industry: the cries for justice by women

The post Delhi Police on Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case: “Liable to be prosecuted and punished for sexual harassment, molestation and stalking” appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The post Delhi police file chargesheet against BJP MP Brij Bhushan, submits cancellation report in POCSO Case appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On Sunday, June 11, Singh organised a 50-jeep, roadshow that ran for 35 kilometres in his eastern Uttar Pradesh constituency of Kaisarganj before he addressed the  rally. The ostensible reason was to laud the performance of the nine-year-old Modi government, which Singh did, his shawl sporting an image of a the shawl-clad Modi himself.

Interestingly, at this rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party to give their sexual harassment-accused MP a platform, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that will be contesting the 2024 polls despite the serious allegations made against him by several of India’s medal-winning wrestlers. The ‘Mahasampark Abhiyan’ was organised to celebrate nine years of the Narendra Modi regime.

Several BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh shared the stage with Singh in Gonda, and the chief guest was Mohan Yadav, minister of state for higher education in Madhya Pradesh. Singh wore a scarf with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face on it.

On being asked at the rally about whether he will contest in 2024, Singh said, as reported in The Hindu, “Kaiserganj se chunav ladunga (I will contest election from Kaiserganj).” He also claimed that the BJP would win all Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. “The BJP will form a majority government in 2024 under Modi ji’s leadership,” he continued.

“The main objective is to tell Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah that he is in a position to damage the BJP’s prospects in Kaisarganj, Gonda, Balrampur, Faizabad and Shravasti constituencies, from where his supporters came to participate in the public meeting held after the road show,” the associate, who didn’t want to be identified, said.

Singh’s fate hangs in the balance till June 15.

One of Singh’s team told The Telegraph, that the objective was to show the BJP’s central leadership that Singh enjoys large-scale political clout in his region. “The main objective is to tell Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah that even after the serious allegations against him being made public, he is still in a position to damage the BJP’s prospects in Kaisarganj, Gonda, Balrampur, Faizabad and Shravasti constituencies, from where his supporters came to participate in the public meeting held after the road show,” the aid said.

The motive behind the regime’s reluctance to act against the UP strongman is clear. The Modi government has so far stonewalled the wrestlers’ demand to have him arrested, apparently because it believes he can deliver the BJP a handful of seats in next year’s general election.

Just last week, Union Sports minister Anurag Thakur has assured the wrestlers that the Delhi police, who report to the Union home ministry, would complete their probe by June 15 and file a chargesheet. The associate further said Singh was aware of speculation that Modi and Shah might ask him to resign as MP, and that Shah might ask the police to arrest him. “But he is not ready to submit. In fact, he has defied party rules by declaring at the rally that he would contest from Kaisarganj in 2024,” the associate said.

A poll committee formed by the BJP before elections is alone authorised to pick the candidates. The roads along Singh’s jeep rally from his home in Vishnoharpur village to Balpur were largely empty. The saffron-clad MP stopped at about 10 places to be garlanded by a few dozen waiting supporters.

The public meeting that followed at Balpur, held ostensibly to celebrate the Modi government’s completion of nine years, attracted about 10,000 people. The six-time MP read out a Hindi couplet at the beginning of his speech and then declared: “I will contest again from Kaisarganj.”

The couplet was about continuing affection amid betrayal, but Singh refused to explain its significance to reporters after the event. “This is how I am,” he said and got into his car. Mohan Yadav, minister of state for higher education in Madhya Pradesh, was the chief guest at the meeting and several local BJP leaders were on the dais. 

Ask Amit Shah: Vinesh Phogat

Meanwhile, Vinesh Phogat, the double world medallist, on Sunday joined the protesting farmers in Punjab and on her way spoke to the media at Khatkar Toll Plaza in Haryana, PTI reported. Asked about the meeting the wrestlers had with home minister Shah, Phogat said: “They had given a few proposals that they can do that much for us but except the arrest of Brij Bhushan, everything is happening.”

When questioned on why Singh is not being arrested, the firebrand wrestler said: “You have to ask Amit Shah, why he (WFI chief) is not being arrested. He is such a powerful man that the government is trying to shield him. So getting him arrested is not easy but we are continuing our fight.”

There is speculation, the aide said, that Modi and Shah may ask Singh to resign or even order his arrest – but Singh is unwilling to accept this. “But he is not ready to submit. In fact, he has defied party rules by declaring at the rally that he would contest from Kaisarganj in 2024,” the associate told The Telegraph.

Singh did not directly talk about the allegations against him or the wrestlers’ ongoing protest, but started his speech with a couplet suggesting that he is the one being victimised. “Kabhi ashq, kabhi gham, to kabhi zeher piya jata hai. Tab jakar jamane me jiya jata hai. Yeh mila mujhko mohabbat ka sila, bewafa kehke mera naam liya jata hai. Isko ruswai kahen ki shohrat apni, dabe hontho se mera naam liya jata hai [Sometimes you drink tears, sometimes sadness, and at times poison. Only then do you live in society. This is the reward I have received for my love; they call me unfaithful. Call it notoriety or fame, they take my name with pursed lips].”

Announcing Sunday’s rally last week, Singh had said on Twitter, “I am organising a huge rally on June 11 at 10 am. This program is proposed at Shri Raghuraj Sharan Singh Mahavidyalaya, next to Balapur on Gonda-Lucknow road. All the supporters, workers, present and former office bearers of the party, respected Pradhan, Chhetrapanchayat members, block chiefs, presidents of municipalities, councilors, district panchayat members, district panchayat presidents and MLAs are cordially invited in the rally.”

Earlier, Singh had cancelled a rally planned in Ayodhya.

It is crucial to remember that Singh, who was the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, is currently facing criminal charges based on complaints of seven women wrestlers that he sexually harassed them. Wrestlers have been protesting against the government’s alleged inaction against the MP since January 2023. During recent discussions with Union home minister Amit Shah and sports minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers were reportedly promised that the police would complete its probe by June 15.

Related:

Protesting wrestlers will resume stir, say govt not ready to arrest WFI chief by June 15

“I changed my statement because I was scared, my family is living under constant threat”: father of the minor wrestlers’ complainant

FIRs suggest wrestlers had informed PM about their repeated sexual trauma in 2021

Battling the Indian sports industry: the cries for justice by women

Protests and Mahapanchayats announced in support of the protesting wrestlers, 5 days given till medals are immersed in Ganga River

Wrestler Protest: Law student moves NHRC, files complaint over the detention & brutal police action against protesting wrestlers

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

The post Warning or threat, accused MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sends ‘message’ to BJP’s top brass: UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Now, with the ultimatum issued by protesting wrestlers to the Union government drawing to a close, Bajrang Punia reiterated on Saturday, June 10that if the government is not ready to arrest Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who facing sexual harassment allegations, by June 15, their protest would resume.

Following Tikait’s intervention a flurry of meetings with representatives of the union government followed last week. Following one such meeting with the Union sports minister Anurag Thakur, last week news reports on a minor’s complaint being withdrawn had re-surfaced. Today, Saturday June 10 they have stated that they will resume their protest if the government does not arrest Singh by June 15. Thakur, in his meeting with wrestlers earlier this week, had assured that the investigation into the allegations against Singh would be concluded by June 15, and a new WFI chief to be elected by June end. The written assurances from the government did not, however, mention Singh’s arrest.

Punia and other protesting wrestlers held a Mahapanchayat with Khap leaders in Haryana’s Sonipat on Saturday, June 10. They said they had shared the details of their discussions with the government with the Khap leaders at the Mahapanchayat.

“After June 15, we will decide where to start the protest again,” Sakshi Malik thereafter told NDTV  after observing that the government is not serious about arresting Singh.

While noting that efforts are being made by supporters of the government to spread the narrative that there is disunity among wrestlers, she said, “I want to make one thing clear, I, Bajrang, and Vinesh (Phogat) are one and will remain one.”

Furthermore, they also asserted that they will not participate in the Asian Games slated to be held later this year unless their demands are not met. “We will participate in the Asian Games only when all these issues will be resolved. You can’t understand what we’re going through mentally each day,” said 2016 Olympics medal-winning wrestler Malik.

The Delhi Police on Friday, June 9,  had taken wrestler Sangeeta Phogat to Singh’s official residence in Delhi to recreate the sequence of events at the scene of the crime that led to the sexual harassment of which he has been accused. While procedurally correct as per law, there is a question on the propriety of conducting this exercise while the accused politician was in residence.

The Delhi Police is likely to submit in court its report by next week, officials in the know of things said. So far, 180 people have been quizzed in connection with two FIRs filed in the case.

Sections of the media continue the misinformation campaign, however. Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta’s sister, took to Twitter alleging that fake news is being spread about her sister’s presence at Singh’s residence on Friday, saying that she had gone there to work out a compromise with him. Vinesh clarified that Sangeeta was taken there by the police to recreate the scene.

“This is the power of Brij Bhushan. He is busy harassing women wrestlers by using his muscle power, political power and running false narratives. If the police arrests him instead of breaking us, there is hope of justice, otherwise no,” Vinesh wrote on Twitter in Hindi.

This is not the first time that fake news is being spread about protesting wrestlers. Earlier, it was said that they had ended their protest following the resumption of their regular duties in railways. The wrestlers dismissed them as mere rumuors, being spread with the intention to break them and defame them.

Related:

“I changed my statement because I was scared, my family is living under constant threat”: father of the minor wrestlers’ complainant

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

When Will Society Hold Men Accountable for Patriarchy

The post Protesting wrestlers will resume stir, say govt not ready to arrest WFI chief by June 15 appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On late hours of Thursday, news of the minor complaint’s father issuing a “confession” hit the headlines, just a day after a false news was circulated that the minor has withdrawn her complaint. In the said statement, the father of the minor wrestler has also confessed to levelling a false sexual harassment allegation against Singh because he wanted “revenge” for his daughter’s rejection in the U-17 Asian Championship.

“I was filled with rage that my child’s one-year hard work had gone down the drain because of that referee’s decision in the final and I decided to take revenge,” he stated to PTI.

The father of the minor had also stated that his anger was directed towards the WFI chief because the referee was selected by Brij Bhushan Singh. “The federation appointed the referee (in the match against the minor wrestler which she lost). Who heads the federation? Who else should I be angry at?” PTI quoted the father of the minor, as saying. It is pertinent to noted, that it was based on the said complaint filed by the father of the minor that a second FIR was filed against Singh on April 28 at Connaught Place police station under IPC sections 354, 354(A), 354(D), 34 and section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The minor’s father, also the complainant, in the FIR had narrated in detail several instances when his daughter was allegedly sexually harassed by the WFI chief. He had claimed that Mr. Singh had “touched her inappropriately” and asked her to “support him, if she needed his support”. He had also alleged that his daughter was “completely disturbed and cannot be at peace anymore …sexual harassment by the accused (Singh) continues to haunt her”. The father also alleged that Brij Bhushan forcefully pulled his daughter towards him and molested her.

He also alleged that Singh had discriminated against his daughter. “To my utter shock, my daughter was hugely discriminated against,” he had said in the FIR.

However, after multiple reports claimed that the girl had withdrawn the complaint and a lot of confusion was created, the minor complainant’s father had told The Hindu that they recorded a fresh statement denying any incident of sexual harassment. However, it has been provided by the father that they have not withdrawn the complaint where they have alleged that Singh discriminated against his daughter.

He said, “We have not taken back any complaint, we have just recorded another statement before the magistrate on June 5, where we have alleged that he discriminated against her when it came to wrestling, and he did not sexually harass her,” the Hindu reported. On being asked why he filed the false case, the girl’s father said “he was fuelled by anger against him because his daughter lost in last year’s trial match”. “We are telling the truth so that it comes out while investigation is under way,” he added.

Elaborating on the same, he said, “My daughter was deliberately made to lose because of the staff that was on duty and the opponent, and everybody hailed from Delhi, which isn’t right according to the rules. I did complain regarding the discrimination to the Federation, but nobody heard me,” as provided by the Hindu. He said he was angry. “I felt disheartened and I was angry and why shouldn’t I be? Mr. Singh was biased against her, I had to sell my house to train my daughter. We only had three options: to get her married, educated or get her into sports. Now, we don’t know what her future will be.” “I understand that we made a mistake and we would like to rectify it,” he said, adding that the referee’s decision, in the trial match, was influenced by Singh.

“The police complaint that we have given, is somewhat true and partly false and we’ve cleared everything that is right and wrong,” he said. When the Hindu asked him about the allegations that his daughter isn’t a minor, he asserted that she is a minor and that they have provided the investigators with “legal documents pertaining to her identity”.

On Singh, the minor’s father said that he has “nothing against him, apart from the anger over how his daughter was treated”. “I will continue to stand with the wrestlers, who have always supported us since day one. What happened to the women is wrong,” the father of the complaint said.

Minor cannot ‘withdraw’ complaint against Brij Bhushan: Lawyer Vrinda Grover explains

Speaking to The News Minutes, and commenting on whether the reported retraction of allegations by the minor is contradictory, Vrinda Grover explained how this is the most normal, natural, and commonsensical thing to happen. Even if the minor did give another statement to the magistrate, lawyer and activist Vrinda Grover points out that calling this a “withdrawal” of the charges or complaint is a legal fallacy. She also said that since a large section of the media panders to the Union government’s power, such reportage creates confusion in the minds of people.

The minor and six other wrestlers had previously filed complaints against Brij Bhushan in April 2023. Speaking to TNM, Grover elaborated that statements by the minor wrestler, are deposed before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). “All 164 statements carry evidentiary value because they are made to a magistrate and signed by the maker of the statement. But such statements still have to be examined before a criminal trial court for their veracity to be established. No complainant can simply give a statement contradicting their previous one and take back their complaint or allegations. Such reportage by the media is not only the wrong interpretation of the law but also confusing,” she said.

“No matter how many statements the complainant gives, she will have to step into the witness box before the court and speak under oath. Since here the complainant is a minor, she will be given the required privacy and witness protection, and her statements will be examined by the court to arrive at their validity. So this is not a “withdrawal” of a complaint or evidence of the accused’s innocence. Once an FIR is filed in a criminal case, it has to be adjudged by a court of law. A crime is considered a wrong against society and the state is duty-bound to prosecute the accused before the law,” she added

Unveiling the fear that victims and survivors face

‘Changed my statement because I was scared’

While most of the media is focusing on the “confession” given by the father of the minor complainant’s father, and the withdrawal of the sexual harassment allegations against Singh, not much attention is being given to real confession that the father made, which is the pressure and threats that the family has been facing since they came out with their story. The father has revealed that he has been living in fear and was threatened. “I changed my statement in court not because of greed but because I was scared… scared for my family, daughter and myself. Many lives have changed since we raised the allegations. I have to face the society and the people, I was threatened by people, whose names I can’t reveal, and my family is living in intense fear. If anything happens to me or my daughter, how will we live?” he had told The Hindu.

This was not the first time that the minor complaint and the six other women wrestlers have come out and raised the issue of threats of dire consequences and inducements of money were being made to them. Even on the third day of the protest, the two-time World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, who has been leading the wrestler protest, said threats were being made to ‘break the resolve’ of the complainants. Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia had also accused Singh’s coterie of threatening the family of the minor, the result of which can be seen today.

“They are trying to threaten the minor victim and pressure is being put on the family members to withdraw the complaint. We have learned that one of the people threatening them is a coach who is a Dronacharya-award winner and the other is the secretary of the Haryana Wrestling Association. They went to her house and are putting pressure on the family and also offered money. They want her to take the complaint back. Those women wrestlers who have filed complaints against the WFI president are being threatened too,” Bajrang had said as had been reported by the Indian Express.

Yesterday, after the father of the minor gave the above-mentioned statements, Phogat tweeted the following on her Twitter handle: “Will the daughters get justice in the atmosphere of fear and intimidation???” Vinesh wrote

In another tweet, she said, “May these daughters not lose courage one by one because of the delay in this fight for justice??? God give courage to all.”

It will not be a reach to say that considering the amount of state-sanctioned abuse, violence and pressure was being meted out to the protesting wrestlers, this particular piece of news did not surprise anyone, but rather re-iterated the power that men like Singh, and those supporting, him have in our country. The power exerted by this man is such that no arrest has been made, and rather it is the complainants only who are suffering. Besides, this this is not the first case where the complaint has redacted their statements, succumbing to the political and societal pressure put on them, as was witnessed in the Gujarat 2002, Vadodara’s famed Best Bakery case and the Sohrabuddin Sheikh extra judicial killings case. While in the first, Best Bakery, following a Registrar General, Supreme Court’s inquiry, the circumstances that caused prime witness Zahira Shaikh to commit perjury were revealed and she was ordered to serve a year’s of simple imprisonment, the Sohrabuddin case simply fell through the cracks with justice an elusive commodity.

It is a shame that a minor woman, who found the strength to fight against the wrongdoings committed by a powerful and politically backed man against her consent and her body, had to take a step back owing to the threats faced by her and her family.

Questions should now be raised over the continued delay in the arrest of the WFI chief and filing of the charge sheet. Additionally, a need for conducting an inquiry to probe the delay in the case has arisen, to investigate the circumstances leading to this situation where witnesses are being compromised.

Is the police bound by the statement of the father of the complainant?

It is essential to note that even after the father of the complainant has issued the above-mentioned statements, the Delhi police can still proceed with its probe. The statement of the father will not held to be “decisive” of the said case as one the FIR was lodged, the State took over the case and was pursuing it. Thus, the Delhi police is not bound to accept the statement of the father, and it can still pursue the case because the statement of the minor is already there on record under Section 164 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Notably, a statement recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 is admissible in court.

The statement of the father will now act as an additional element which the police may look into, and if it finds that the case is false, then it can take action as required by law. Therefore, the power resides with the police to investigate whether this withdrawal by father of the complainant is genuine or coerced, and whether it amounts to perjury or not.

Related:

FIRs suggest wrestlers had informed PM about their repeated sexual trauma in 2021

Battling the Indian sports industry: the cries for justice by women

Protests and Mahapanchayats announced in support of the protesting wrestlers, 5 days given till medals are immersed in Ganga River

Wrestler Protest: Law student moves NHRC, files complaint over the detention & brutal police action against protesting wrestlers

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

When Will Society Hold Men Accountable for Patriarchy

Farmers announce nationwide agitation in support of #WomenChampionWrestlers

Protesting wrestlers manhandled by drunk Delhi police officer at night, supporters and journalists detained

Independent mechanisms on sexual harassment at workplace imperative, NWMI stands in solidarity with women wrestlers

WFI leadership accused of sexual harassment by Indian women wrestlers, absence of redressal mechanisms the focus

https://cjp.org.in/the-2004-best-bakery-judgement-and-its-significance/

https://sabrangindia.in/themes-category/temple-justice-best-bakery-judgement/

https://cjp.org.in/restore-press-freedom-allow-coverage-of-soharbuddin-trial-buj-media-to-hc/

The post “I changed my statement because I was scared, my family is living under constant threat”: father of the minor wrestlers’ complainant appeared first on SabrangIndia.

As has been reported by the News Minute, it has been provided in the FIR filed by the women wrestlers that the complainant had met the Prime Minister in the year 2021 and informed him about the sexual harassment. She has further claimed that Narendra Modi had assured her that her “grievances” will be looked into by the Sports Ministry.

According to the FIR, the wrestler said, “I informed the Prime Minister about the repeated sexual, emotional, psychological, and physical trauma that was meted out to me and other female wrestlers by accused no. 1 [Brij Bhushan] in conspiracy with his close aides, to which the Prime Minister reassured me that such grievances will be looked into by the Sports Ministry and I will get a call from the Sports Ministry shortly.”

The complainant said that after her meeting with the PM, a show cause notice issued to her earlier was withdrawn, and Brij Bhushan and aides stopped exerting pressure on her for sometime, as was reported by the News Minute. However, she adds that the mental harassment resumed after a short interval. It is crucial to note here that there has been no mention made here that any attempt was made by the PM to remove Singh from his position of power even after knowing about the abuse. It is also pertinent to note that the Prime Minister has not yet issued anystatement regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan, and had rather invited the accused to the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament building.

PM Modi once famously said, “Progress of women always gives strength to the empowerment of the nation,” and yet he falls truly short on implementing his words and protecting the women facing sexual harassment at the hands of a predator from his own party.

Even after all this, many other dramatic statements have been made by Singh, who has been time and again denying the allegations against him, calling it a political conspiracy. And now, the details of the key allegations put on him in the two official complaints filed with New Delhi’s Connaught Place police station on April 28 have come out, and they are disturbing and traumatising to say the least.

It is pertinent to note that 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.

The seven women have put on record multiple incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct that included groping, inappropriate touching and physical contact — during tournaments, at warm-ups and even in the WFI office. At least two instances of demanding “sexual favours” in lieu of professional assistance along with more than 10 episodes of inappropriate touching, molestation that includes running hands over breasts, touching the navel have been made public in a report by the Indian Express. Several instances of intimidation including stalking and a shared sense of fear and trauma also form the key allegations in two FIRs filed.

• “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”.

Wrestler 5

• “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?)

(The above mentioned details of the FIR are based on the copy of the Indian Express)

 FIR 2- Allegations put forth by the minor wrestler

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”. The father also alleged that Brij Bhushanforcefully pulled his daughter towards him and molested her. Brij Bhushan then allegedly told her: “Tu merko support kar, mei terko support karunga, mere saath touch mein rehna” (If you support me, I will support you. Be in touch with me).

As per the News Minute, the father of the minor complainant also mentions that when his daughter refused Brij Bhushan’s advances, he allegedly threatened to stifle her chances at the upcoming trials for the Asian Championship, which he later did by clubbing her in the same category as other strong contestants at the trials, against the general practice of giving preference to the medal holder in the national championship. 

The complainant further details how Brij Bhushan called his daughter to his room and tried to initiate “forceful physical contact”, from where she ran, shell-shocked.

The minor athlete alleged that Singh held her tight for a photo. She mentioned that he also pressed her shoulder and purposefully touched her inappropriately. She added that she explicitly told him not to stalk her and that she was not interested in having any physical relationship with him.

• “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…”

Based on this complaint, Brij Bhushan has been charged under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The said Section 10 of the POCSO Act would lead to five to seven years of imprisonment. The minor athlete stated that the harassment took place between 2012 and 2022 in both India and abroad. Following this FIR, Brij Bhushanhad claimed that the POCSO Act is being misused and said he wants it amended.

A decade long pattern of abuse

These women have endured years of trauma, of living in fear and having their autonomy and dignity snatched away, of having no respite from the preying hands of men in power. From being sexually assaulted during training to having a man slide his hand inside their t-shirt under the guise of “checking her breath” to having their body touched without their consent while posing for a photograph, the complainants’ accounts demonstrate the level of authority Singh purportedly possessed and exercised in the federation, establishing this pattern to his sexual harassment while enjoying impunity. It is evident from the narratives presented above that time and again Singh used his clout to prey on the survivors, touching them on various pretexts, and isolating them whenever possible to elicit sexual favours. Today, these women are fighting on their behalf, as well as on the behalf of those women who are forced into silence about their stories, against a man who wields such power that even the Prime Minister is silent. From what should have been an act of justice, putting a guilty man behind bars, has become a struggle in which they are being manhandled, dragged, abused, and booked for disrupting the law and order of India!

Who and what are these women battling? On the face of it, they are fighting against a man guilty of committing non-consensual acts on their bodies. But they are also battling an invisible and rigid structure of impunity and abuse of power where a string of powerful men are standing behind one guilty man. 

Related:

Battling the Indian sports industry: the cries for justice by women

Protests and Mahapanchayats announced in support of the protesting wrestlers, 5 days given till medals are immersed in Ganga River

Wrestler Protest: Law student moves NHRC, files complaint over the detention & brutal police action against protesting wrestlers

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

When Will Society Hold Men Accountable for Patriarchy

Farmers announce nationwide agitation in support of #WomenChampionWrestlers

Protesting wrestlers manhandled by drunk Delhi police officer at night, supporters and journalists detained

Independent mechanisms on sexual harassment at workplace imperative, NWMI stands in solidarity with women wrestlers

WFI leadership accused of sexual harassment by Indian women wrestlers, absence of redressal mechanisms the focus

The post FIRs suggest wrestlers had informed PM about their repeated sexual trauma in 2021 appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Sportswomen in India have made a difference on the world stage by breaking through glass ceilings, leaving their mark, and setting new goals. Since the turn of the millennium, there has been a significant increase in the number of Indian women athletes competing on the international stage. The twenty-first century saw a significant increase in Indian women athletes leading from the front and making their mark in Olympic sports such as weightlifting, boxing, and badminton. Indian women athletes have been gaining international recognition and acclaim. There are clouds on this shiny horizon, however. The Indian Sports Federation that has recently been in the headlines for reasons other than celebrating champion victories.

More than a month has passed since the protesting women wrestlers approached the Supreme Court of India to get the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR against the BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on their (women wrestlers’) complaint of sexual harassment. The grapplers are still agitating to press for the arrest of Singh, who has also been accused under the POCSO Act.  To date, the Delhi Police has not even submitted an investigation report post filing the FIR.

The sports arena of India, similar to the other structures and agencies, is male dominated. In the Indian sports industry, women have had to fight tooth and nail to make space for themselves, to earn the right to participate. In most of the sports federations of India, the chiefs, coaches and trainers are men. The bottom line is this: it is difficult for a woman athlete to survive in a male-dominated industry, then to be able to speak out about their complaints of sexual harassment against men in power, in a patriarchal society like India, is another story entirely.

Since the beginning of this battle for justice, started by Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat and Sakshi Malik, the protesting wrestlers have had to face huge hurdles. From the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, to the union sports minister, Anurag Thakur, these protesting women have had to fight head-first with men in authority. Even when a government-appointed Oversight Committee was set up to “probe” the allegations against Singh, the women wrestlers came out with details around procedure and functioning g of the panel that revealed that it was neither fair nor transparent.

The Committee, which was ironically headed by boxer Mary Kom, reeked of a patriarchial callousness. The Committee reportedly asked the three testifying wrestlers to provide “audio or video” proof of their harassment. A Committee member had also reportedly told one of the wrestlers that Singh was “like a father figure and his acts were done in all innocence and were misconstrued by them (the wrestlers)”, once more showing that this battle would have to be fought by the women wrestlers in solitude and alone. It was a battle against the whole system and its culture.

At every stage of this protest, the response of the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the Delhi police, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),  headed by Amit Shah, revealed an anti-women and anti-democratic character by preventing and trying to crush what has been a very peaceful, violence-free and orderly protest of women wrestlers. The complainants, who have levelled serious allegations of sexual harassment are themselves are being treated as enemies of the state and chaos mongers. While, in fact, it is the WFI chief and the union sports minister, Anurag Thakur who are the ones who have allegations attached to their names. Anurag Thakur. Thakur had, at a rally in Rithala in the national capital on January 27, 2020, egged on the crowd to raise an incendiary slogan “Desh ke Gaddaro ko, Goli maro saalo ko” (shoot the traitors and enemies of the country) after lashing out at anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters of Shaheen Bagh. In April 2023 itself, the Supreme Court asked the Delhi Police to respond to the plea of CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, challenging the Delhi High Court’s order dismissing a petition against the Delhi trial court’s refusal to order the registration of an FIR against Union Minister Anurag Thakur for his alleged hate speeches on anti-CAA protests.

The only demand made by these protesting wrestlers is that the law be enforced against a powerful male who has sexually inflicted violence on them. For lesser mortals than Singh, the mandatory arrest of the perpetrator under POCSO would have immediately resulted. However, in this case, no justice has come their way.

Even as such grave injustice and superficial crumbs are being handed out to the protesting women wrestlers, few are raising their voices in support of the protest. Is this the first time that this dark side of patriarchy has reared its head? Sadly, no. Sexual harassment of women athletes by men in power has happened before and remains an unresolved issue for the Indian system today defying both transparency and accountability.

History of sexual harassment allegations in the Indian sports fraternity

“Athletes are particularly vulnerable because of how hierarchical the coach-athlete relationship is in the sporting context”
– Payoshni Mitra, CEO of Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport

According to a reply in filed Rajya Sabha in July 2022, since 2017, 30 complaints of sexual harassment against the coaches and staff have been received by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), out of which two were anonymous complaints. The reply did not list what actions were taken and it only stated, “Necessary action has been taken in all 30 cases”. In an RTI reply, it was reported that between the period of 2010 and 2020, there were 45 complaints of sexual harassment to SAI, of which 29 were against coaches. Of these, five coaches were penalised with a pay reduction, the contracts of two coaches were terminated, one was suspended, five were acquitted and one, unfortunately, died by suicide.

1. Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh Case:

Year: 2022

Allegations: On December 29, 2022, a junior coach accused Haryana sports minister and former Olympian Sandeep Singh of sexual harassment. The junior athletics coach had alleged that Singh had touched her inappropriately. Speaking to the press, she added that she hadn’t spoken of the harassment earlier as she was afraid of the negative impact on the sports industry. “I tried as much as I could. He created such an atmosphere officially that a girl comes to him automatically,” she added.

Action Taken: On January 1, the Chandigarh Police filed a sexual harassment case against Sandeep Singh on charges of sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. Singh resigned from his post on “moral grounds,” post the FIR, though he dismissed the allegations as baseless. In early May, the Chandigarh court dismissed the application moved by the Chandigarh police seeking permission to conduct a polygraph test on Singh.

2. Assistant coach Alex Ambrose case:

Year: 2022

Allegations: In July 2022, India U-17 women’s football team assistant coach Alex Ambrose was accused of sexual harassment in their Europe tour. According to various reports, a player complained against the coach after her roommate, a player of the squad, was missing from her dorm and she raised the issue with head coach Thomas Dennerby.

Action taken: In July 2022, Alex Ambrose was suspended and sent back from a training camp in Norway for allegedly abusing a minor player, and was later sacked. Ambrose, who was also the All India Football Federation’s head of scouting, denied the charges and served the federation a legal notice. A case under the POSCO Act was filed. In February 2023, a Delhi court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him.

3. Woman cyclist sexual harassment case:

Year: 2022

Allegations: In June 2022, Indian cycling was embroiled in a controversy when a woman cyclist complained of “inappropriate behaviour” by national team chief coach RK Sharma during an overseas training camp in Slovenia.  The senior woman cyclist alleged that Sharma had allegedly forced himself into her room, offering her a “post-training” massage and stating that he “wants her to be his wife,” during the national team’s camp in Slovenia. After the incident was reported, another cyclist also accused Sharma and his assistant of inappropriate behaviour.

Days later, his predatory behaviour was called out by Andaman’s Deborah Herold, the current national champion and international gold medallist. Herold alleged that the “toxic atmosphere” in the team under Sharma “did not allow cyclists to perform to their potential”.

Action taken: On June 8, 2022, Sports Authority of India (SAI) terminated the contract of chief cycling coach RK Sharma.

4. Case of Tamil Nadu coach sexually abusing athletes:

Year: 2022

Allegations: A 19-year-old national-level runner filed a sexual harassment complaint against renowned sports coach P Nagarajan in Chennai. She alleged that the coach would touch female athletes inappropriately, on the pretext of helping them with physiotherapy and stretching. Two months after the first complaint, seven more athletes, including some who have represented India, came forward with similar allegations.

Action Taken: Nagarajan was arrested and is facing charges under the IPC and POCSO Act.

5. Boxing coach accused of sexual assault case:

Year: 2020

Allegations: In March 2020, a boxing coach was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his 19-year-old student when they were in West Bengal for a tournament in February. The teen, who was representing Haryana in the tournament, alleged that while she was going to Kolkata from the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) along with her other team members to participate in the tournament, her coach sexually assaulted her in the train. She added that she was also sexually assaulted by her coach during their stay in Kolkata.

Action Taken: no updates available

6. Coach booked for molestation of female cricketer:

Year: 2020

Allegations: In Jan 2020, Gautam Gambhir had taken to Twitter and revealed how a girl reached out to him and sought his help after she was sexually harassed by her cricket coach.

Action taken: In Jan 2020, Delhi Police registered an FIR in connection with the alleged molestation of a female cricketer by her coach in southeast Delhi’s Nizamuddin area.

7. Gymnast, coach booked for sexual harassment

Year: 2014

Allegations: While attending a national camp for the 2014 Asian Games at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, a female gymnast accused Coach Manoj Rana and gymnast Chandan Pathak of sexual harassment. The female gymnast had told the police that the duo passed vulgar remarks about her clothes and also made some indecent comments on her.

Action Taken: The gymnast and his coach were booked for sexually harassing the woman gymnast. On September 17, 2014, however, even as the SAI launched an inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment even as the accused, gymnastics coach Manoj Rana and gymnast Chandan Pathak, flew to Incheon for the 17th Asian Games.

8. Tamil Nadu boxing official accused of seeking sexual favours

Year: 2011

Allegations: E Thulasi, bronze medallist at the 2009 Women’s Senior National Boxing Championship, in 2011 levied charges of sexual harassment against Tamil Nadu State Amateur Boxing Association Secretary AK Karunakaran. She alleged that he had misbehaved with her, asking her ‘to cooperate’ if she wished to be selected for important events.

Action taken: Following an investigation by DCP (Kilpauk), Karunakaran was arrested.

9. Women’s hockey team accused coach of sexual harassment:

Year: 2010

Allegations: In July 2010, a member of the Indian women’s hockey team accused the team’s coach and Olympian, Maharaj Kishan Kaushik, of sexual harassment.

Action taken: Following sexual harassment allegations, Maharaj Kishan Kaushik resigned from his post. He was eventually absolved of all the charges by an inquiry committee formed by Hockey India and the Sports Authority of India.

Is there any future of sports beyond patriarchy?

We won’t bog down anymore and will fight for our rights.– Vinesh Phogat

All eyes, international and national, were on the Jantar Mantar protest, until it was violently disrupted by the Delhi police itself because the women wrestlers dared to escalate their protest to outside the then to be inaugurated New Parliament building. Today the injured wrestlers are re-grouping, on the threshold of a fresh stage of their protest that they have vowed not to give up. Will this sustained battle for dignity and justice lead to a decisive breakthrough, or will history repeat itself and mere crumbs in the name of justice be given to the protesting women wrestlers? The dismissal of this protest by large sections of the visible commercial media and senior sports stars, along with the government and systems’ attempts to silence these women, highlight the abysmal treatment of women sportspersons and athletes in India, the omnipresent predatory behaviour of the men in position of power in the sport industry.

It is critical for the country –and all sections of citizenry – that has been applauding our sportswomen for demonstrating their incredible talent and grit in crashing through the glass ceiling of familial, societal and institutional discrimination and excelling in international competitions, cheer them on in this crucial battle. A battle that is a battle for dignity, autonomy, the right to consent, bodily integrity and the right to life – against an oppressive and vicious nexus of patriarchy, power, and privilege.

Coming forward and highlighting the vicious cycle of sexual harassment within the sports establishment requires enormous strength on the part of sportswomen, who have now been supported by their male colleagues in the case involving the WFI.

It is crucial now that the government as well as those presiding over these bodies are made to answer, held accountable for their unapologetic ignorance and their denial of justice. In a country where sexual violence against the women is on the rise, it is critical that the cries of these women, who have reached a position of privilege, reach, and support, must be addressed and an opportunity to be heard is given. Such incidents are not one-off exceptions and must not be treated as such with delayed responses mired in political calculations. If these wrestling women protestors have had to suffer so much at the hands of our government and justice system, women who are a household name, it is unimaginable what a woman from a minority community or a marginalised background would have to go through to even get her voice heard. This fight is no longer just limited to those seven women, it is a fight that every girl child and every woman is a part of.

Related:

Protests and Mahapanchayats announced in support of the protesting wrestlers, 5 days given till medals are immersed in Ganga River

Wrestler Protest: Law student moves NHRC, files complaint over the detention & brutal police action against protesting wrestlers

From deathly silence to violence: The journey of wrestlers struggling for justice

Protests erupt at Delhi police violent crackdown on Women Wrestlers, FIR, and nationwide outrage

Attempt to Drown out Wrestlers’ Protest with Song and Dance About ‘Temple of Democracy’

When Will Society Hold Men Accountable for Patriarchy

Farmers announce nationwide agitation in support of #WomenChampionWrestlers

Protesting wrestlers manhandled by drunk Delhi police officer at night, supporters and journalists detained

Independent mechanisms on sexual harassment at workplace imperative, NWMI stands in solidarity with women wrestlers

WFI leadership accused of sexual harassment by Indian women wrestlers, absence of redressal mechanisms the focus

The post Battling the Indian sports industry: the cries for justice by women appeared first on SabrangIndia.