Father of minor wrestler admits filing false sexual harassment complaint; WFI chief Brij Bhushan reacts

A new twist has emerged amid the row between wrestlers and WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh. According to the PTI news agency, the father of a minor wrestler on Thursday said he deliberately filed a false police complaint of sexual harassment against the WFI chief because he wanted to get back at the office for a perceived injustice against the girl.

The shocking statement by the father substantially weakens the case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has faced relentless protests for the past six months by top Indian wrestlers over allegations of sexual harassment of women competitors. The complaint by the minor wrestler has also led to an investigation under POCSO Act.

The origin of the father's supposed angst goes back to the 2022 Under-17 Asian Championship trials in Lucknow when the minor lost the final and missed out on selection to the Indian team.

The father said he was enraged because his child's "one-year hard work had gone down the drain" because of that referee's decision in the final.

"The match was against a Delhi wrestler. The UWW and WFI rules were not followed (in the bout). I have no grudge against the Delhi wrestler. She is also like my daughter but the referee who was also from Delhi deliberately defeated my daughter," he said.

When PTI agency asked why he directed his anger towards Singh when the alleged bias was shown by the referee, he said, “Who had deputed the referee? It was the federation. And who is the head of the federation? So who I will be angry with?”

"You think that it's just one bout and probably it does not matter. But it is hard work for one year. The kid who is making a comeback after undergoing spinal surgery and has worked hard, practicing for hours every day, knows the worth of that one bout.

"The father of the wrestler knows the value of that one bout. Because of that one bout, we missed out on four international tours and probably four medals," he said.

The father also stated that he and his daughter were not influenced by the protesting wrestlers.

"No one approached me. We were wrong so it was our decision. They were also wronged and wrong is wrong."

Singh to this sudden change of heart by the father of the minor, said he won't hold grudges against anyone.

He said that the girl was manipulated by the wrestlers. "The girl was led into this mistake. I don't have any grudge either against her or her family. I won't demand any action against this family. It is just a plot to defame me."

On Friday Bhushan said that all the matters are before the court and added, "Government has also given an assurance that the chargesheet will be filed by 15th June. Let the chargesheet be filed. I don't think I should say anything now".

Meanwhile, Indian wrestlers have paused the protest against Brij Bhushan after the government promised to investigate sexual harassment claims against him.

The government promised it would conclude an investigation into Singh by June 15, prompting the wrestlers to suspend their demonstration.

"If no action is taken by June 15, we will continue our protest," Bajrang Punia, an Olympic medal winner among wrestlers said.