New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has stepped aside from the day-to-day activities of the wrestling body but has not resigned, WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar said on Saturday.
“He has set himself aside as long as the investigation continues. He hasn't resigned but distanced himself from the day-to-day activities of the WFI until the investigation ends so that the probe doesn't get impacted,” news agency ANI quoted Tomar as saying.
His remarks come hours after the wrestlers called off their protest over the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by female wrestlers, following assurances from the government that WFI chief Bhushan would be temporarily sidelined.
“Don't know if he'll join the meeting tomorrow. But if he does, he won't be there as the president. He can at least tell the General Council that he's distancing himself of his own volition. But it's not confirmed, if he'll be there,” Tomar said.
Denying the charges of sexual harassment as baseless, Tomar further said, “The allegations are baseless. There is nothing like that. It has been 3-4 days, and they still haven't produced any evidence. I have been associated with them for the past 12 years, and I haven't seen anything as such.”
Notably, earlier on January 18, world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat alleged that WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been sexually exploiting women wrestlers for many years.
The country's top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya, staged a protest at Delhi Jantar Mantar over the allegations.
Later, they decided to end their three-day long sit-in after a breakthrough was achieved during a second round of talks with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur late on Friday night.
The government decided to form an oversight committee that will investigate the charges of sexual harassment. The committee, members of which are yet to be named, will also oversee the day-to-day affairs of the federation.
"It has been decided that an oversight committee will be formed, names for which will be announced tomorrow (Saturday). The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. It will thoroughly probe all the allegations be it financial or sexual harassment that have been levelled against WFI and its chief," Thakur said.
"Till the investigation is over, he (Singh) will step aside and co-operate with the investigation and the oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI," he added.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the wrestlers, Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia said that they never wanted to take the protest route but were "pushed to the limit".