‘Deliberately filed false case…’: Minor wrestler's father makes big revelation amid protest

The father of a minor wrestler has clarified on allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh amid growing calls for action against him. The former had recorded a fresh statement before the magistrate on June 5 and told media publications that they had ‘deliberately filed a false sexual harassment complaint’. The development comes amid an ongoing protest by leading Indian wrestlers that has seen charges being levelled against the BJP MP. 

While the initial statement had held kernels of truth, the unnamed minor's father told news agency PTI on Thursday that it had been fuelled by a ‘desire for revenge’ against the WFI chief. The allegations had been made “out of anger" as his daughter had lost in the final of the last year’s trials for the Asian Championship, he explained to Hindustan Times during an earlier interview.

“The entire staff on match duty was from Delhi and the opponent girl also hailed from Delhi, which is illegal… I have changed my statement. Some allegations were true and some were false. Brij Bhushan had not sexually harassed my daughter but his approach was biased against her… I had received threatening calls but I will not reveal their names," he told HT.

He also told PTI that he was coming clean because it was better the truth emerged now rather than during a court hearing. The father had also been encouraged to speak up after the government promised a fair enquiry into his daughter's defeat during trials last year.

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The remarks are the latest in a slew of assertions made by the purported victim's father. During an earlier interaction with NDTV he had also claimed that the girl was not underage when the incident happened - with the allegation of sexual harassment remaining unchanged. 

Meanwhile his daughter recorded her statement last month, providing a detailed account of the sexual harassment incidents involving Singh. Following this the WFI chief had been charged under sections of the POCSO Act.

(With inputs from agencies)