New Delhi:

Olympian Wrestler-turned politician Vinesh Phogat today suggested that everything former Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said has been proved wrong. His latest comments about her would prove no different, Ms Phogat said.

The former MP and Wrestling Federation chief had claimed that Ms Phogat’s entry into politics — with a Congress candidature from Haryana — only proved that the sexual harassment allegations against him and the subsequent protest by wrestlers were engineered by the party as well.

He also alleged that Ms Phogat violated rules in Olympics by trying out for two different weight categories the same day and hinted that her disqualification ahead of the final bout was a “result given by god”.

“Two BJP leaders had taken permission to sit at Jantar Mantar. He should look there. He would find all his answers,” Ms Phogat told NDTV in an exclusive interview today.

“As for Olympics — look, nobody cares what he says. Think of what he said — that he would hang himself if any woman came forward to accuse him. Many did. And what did he do? He said I tried to move forward by cheating. That i wanted to change the rules. That I do not want to compete at national levels or at trials. But I did compete nationally, I competed at trials, I went to Olympics,   I qualified by myself. I have proved him wrong at every turn and will do so now as well, for whatever he is saying,” she added.

New Delhi:

The Rouse Avenue court on Friday recorded the statement of a woman wrestler, one of the complainants in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Her testimony was taken in a vulnerable witness room.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Priyanka Rajpoot recorded the statement of victim Further recording of her statement has been deferred for September 10.

The statement of the victim was recorded through the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava.

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was also present during the hearing.

During the day, the court said that the statement of the victim is to be recorded in the vulnerable witness room. Media won’t be allowed during the recording of victims’ statement.

Defence counsel Rajiv Mohan had objected that he wouldn’t cross-examine the victim through video conferencing.

He had said that the provision of cross-examination through video conferencing is only for the minor not for adult victims.

On the other hand, counsel for complainants submitted that this victim squarely covered under the provision of vulnerable witness.

Earlier, DCP New Delhi appeared before the court and submitted that security was not withdrawn. There was some miscommunication and the same has been rectified.

After the recording of the statement, DCP joined the proceeding through video conferencing (VC). On query, he submitted that they don’t have any plan to withdraw the security till the deposition of witnesses is completed.

In January 2023, some women wrestlers protested against Brij Bhushan accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation.

Delhi police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, 2023. This case was lodged on a complaint lodged by female wrestlers.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Olympian Vinesh Phogat has accused the Delhi Police of withdrawing the security cover of the women wrestlers who will be testifying against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh tomorrow. The Delhi Police has denied the charge.

“Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court,” wrote Ms Phogat on X.

Responding to the former wrestler’s tweet, the Delhi Police has clarified that the concerned personal security officers (PSO) reported late to duty after the force requested Haryana Police to take over the security responsibility.

“The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to takeover the responsibility in future since the protectees normally reside there,” said Deputy Commissioner Of Police New Delhi on X, adding, “The assigned Delhi Police PSOs misunderstood this decision and got delayed in reporting today. The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues.”

Meanwhile, the wrestlers approached a Delhi court which directed the city police to immediately reinstate the security cover.

The court was hearing applications filed by senior advocate Rebecca John appearing for the wrestlers, claiming that their security was withdrawn on Wednesday night. It directed police to file a detailed report by Friday regarding the reasons for the withdrawal of the applicants’ security.

Vinesh Phogat, who recently hit headlines over her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, was in the public eye last year for leading a long-running protest against Mr Singh, who was then a BJP MP.

The protesting wrestlers were demanding his resignation and sought the dissolution of the WFI. The WFI denied all allegations against its president.

After the intervention of the Sports Ministry, all WFI activities were suspended and assistant secretary Vinod Tomar was sidelined.

The police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) and later a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Singh.

Mr Singh is being tried on accusations of sexual exploitation and intimidation, charges he denied.

A Delhi court, in a May 10 order, found sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five female wrestlers against the former WFI chief. The next hearing in the case is on Friday.