| 18 June 2023
In a dramatic turn of events, the father of the minor wrestler who had leveled sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has refuted claims made by wrestler Sakshi Malik. The father firmly stated that his family had not received any threats, contradicting Malik's assertion that the minor wrestler changed her statement due to fear of intimidation.
The father's response comes in response to a video statement released by Sakshi Malik and her wrestler-husband Satyawart Kadian, where Malik made sensational claims that the minor wrestler altered her statement against Singh as a result of threats made against her family. However, in an interview with India Today, the minor wrestler's father clarified that his family did not receive any threats, debunking Malik's allegations and urging her to provide clarification on the basis of her statement. He asserted, "We have done what we needed to do. There is no truth to such claims of threats against our family."
According to Malik's video statement, the minor wrestler had provided statements twice—first to the police under Section 161 of the Indian Penal Code and subsequently before a magistrate under Section 164. However, Malik stated that the minor wrestler revised her statement due to alleged threats directed at her family.
Malik's remarks followed the Delhi Police's recommendation to dismiss the complaint filed by the minor wrestler against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, citing a lack of corroborative evidence. The cancellation report regarding the WFI chief's case is scheduled for consideration by a Delhi court on July 4.
Prominent wrestlers in India, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment against seven wrestlers, one of whom is a minor. The wrestling community had previously suspended their protest after receiving assurances from the government regarding action against the WFI chief.
The conflicting accounts between Sakshi Malik and the father of the minor wrestler have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing controversy surrounding Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. As the case proceeds, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the pursuit of justice and the future of Indian wrestling.
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