Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday urged protesting wrestlers to let Delhi Police conclude its investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He stressed that all their demands have been met and that the Delhi Police is conducting a fair probe while the grapplers allege that the Police are working in favour of Brij Bhushan. The protest at Jantar Mantar took a violent turn as a scuffle broke out between the protestors and some police personnel on Wednesday night, leading to head injuries to a couple of protesters.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Anurag Thakur said: "Regarding the demands raised by wrestlers, they demanded an impartial election which will be held. They demanded the formation of a committee and it was constituted. FIR has been registered by Delhi Police, Delhi Police is conducting a fair investigation. SC has also given its verdict I request the players that their demands are being fulfilled and they should allow the investigation to be completed."
"Whatever action needs to be taken, Delhi Police will initiate it as per law," he added.
Protesting Wrestlers Allege Delhi Police Shielding WFI Chief, Police Deny Using Force Against Grapplers
Vinesh Phogat alleged that the players were attacked and abused on Wednesday night. She maintained that the accused policeman was drunk, a claim dismissed by the Delhi Police. "Were we committing a crime by bringing beds, was there a bomb? Their (Delhi Police) behaviour was very aggressive," she added.
Bajrang Punia alleged that police are trying to suppress the protest to protect Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Uttar Pradesh.
"Our fight is with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and not with the government. We are not fighting with the opposition. Efforts are being made to give politics and caste angle to this fight," he remarked.
Whenever we point out the lags by Delhi Police, we face their aggression, Vinesh Phogat claimed.
On the other hand, the Delhi Police denied allegations of their personnel using force against protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar and claimed that no cop was drunk.
New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police has tweeted that sufficient women officers were on duty during the night of May 3, 2023, and on medical examination, no police personnel were found drunk.
The tweet also said that five police personnel sustained injuries during the night scuffle. The police denied using force against the protestors.
More On It: Wrestlers' Protest: Delhi Police Claim No Cop Was Drunk, Five Personnel Were Injured During Scuffle