Wrestlers' Protest Will Continue Till Brij Bhushan Singh Is Sent To Jail, Says Bajrang Punia

The Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that they will register an FIR against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over the sexual harassment charges by Friday evening.

Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik speak with the media during their protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi.

New Delhi: Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, protesting against chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges, said the wrestlers’ protest will continue till Singh is sent to jail, news agency ANI reported.

#WATCH | Wrestlers' petition seeking registration of FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan | "...Our protest will continue until he is sent to jail," says wrestler Bajrang Punia.

SG Tushar Mehta today apprised Supreme Court that the Delhi Police will register FIR by today… https://t.co/h8yp5wS5Xh pic.twitter.com/u2kMC593Ri

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2023

The Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that they will register an FIR against the WFI chief over the sexual harassment charges. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the top court that the Delhi Police will register FIR by today evening.

Reacting to the assurance of the Delhi Police, wrestler Sakshi Malik, as quoted by news agency PTI, said, “I want to thank the Supreme Court for directing the police to file a case as this marks our first step towards victory. However, our protest will continue.”

VIDEO | "I want to thank the Supreme Court for directing the police to file a case as this marks our first step towards victory. However, our protest will continue," says wrestler Sakshi Malik on wrestlers' protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. pic.twitter.com/wOeFl1OKHL

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 28, 2023

The protesting wrestlers further said that they don't trust the Delhi Police, as it might file a loose FIR, PTI reported. "It (Police) might file a loose FIR. We we will see, observe then take a decision (on calling off protest). He should be behind the bars and removed from all the posts he holds, otherwise he will try to influence the investigation," Vinesh Phogat said.

Notably, the Supreme Court on Friday was hearing a plea by seven women wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR against Singh. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Delhi Police and others while saying the matter was "serious" and requires its consideration.

Earlier on Thursday, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur broke his silence over the ongoing protest and said the government had allowed all the protesting wrestlers to present their case before the oversight panel and reiterated its commitment towards an “impartial probe” into the allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Addressing a press conference on the issue, Anurag Thakur said, “A few wrestlers are sitting in protest at Jantar Mantar. I spent 12 hours with them -- seven hours on the first day and five hours the next day (in January). I had listened to all their grievances, held a press conference at 2-2.30 at night, formed a committee after talking to them. They had asked to add a member and gave Babita Phogat's name, and we added her to the committee. There is nothing in our mind, we wanted an impartial probe.”