Wrestlers' protest: Minor's father, Sakshi Malik dismiss 'fake news' on withdrawal of complaint against Brij Bhushan
The sexual harassment case against WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan has not been withdrawn, according to the father of the accuser. Reports that the POSCO case against Bhushan had been withdrawn were fake.
PremiumThe sexual harassment case registered by a minor wrestler against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan, has not been withdrawn, the father of the accuser has told a news media agency.
Reports emerged that the POSCO case against WFI chief Brij Bhushan has been withdrawn on Monday. However, the father of the minor victim of sexual harassment allegedly by Brij Bhushan has told The Print, "The news is completely fake. I have not withdrawn the complaint. I have taken the decision to fight it out and I will.
Further ace grappler Sakshi Mallik has also confirmed that the POSCO complaint or FIR against Brij Bhushan has not been withdrawn. On Monday she Malikkh told reporters in Delhi, "We met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it was a normal conversation, we have only one demand and that is to arrest him (Brij Bhushan Singh). I have not stepped back from the protest, I have resumed my work as OSD in Railways. I want to clarify that we will keep protesting until we get justice. We will not step back. She (minor girl) has not taken back any FIR, all this is fake."
According to reports circulated earlier, the minor had retracted her complaint against the BJP MP. However, latest reports have stated that the girl has provided a fresh statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate, which holds evidentiary value in court.
The father of the minor girl also told The Print ,“yes, I have the spirit to fight. I am fighting it, but till when can I keep going? This experience has completely drained me". The parent of the minor also noted, "the WFI chief’s sexual harassment continues to haunt my daughter who can’t be at peace anymore".
In the FIR lodged against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, he has also been booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
When the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar was ongoing, a man claiming to be the uncle of the minor had stated that the protesting wrestlers are “misleading" his family and using them to frame Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
However, Amit claimed that the wrestlers are carrying out a scam as his brother’s daughter’s (niece) age has been changed to 16 years, so that the grapplers can “wrongly utilise" the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. He said the girl’s date of birth is 22-02-2004.
In a video he had revealed the identity of the minor, following which Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal demanded that an complaint be filed against the man claiming to be the uncle for revealing the identity of a minor for a case that is being probed.
Sakshee Mallikh and Bajrang Punia have rejoined their duties as OSD with the Indian Railways. Mallikh refuted claims of withdrawing from wrestlers' protest after joining the railway duty. She said that she is fulfilling her responsibility in Railways along with Satyagraha. "This news is completely wrong. In the fight for justice, none of us has backed down, nor will we. Along with Satyagraha, I am fulfilling my responsibility in Railways. Our fight continues till justice is served. Please don't spread any wrong news," Malik said in a tweet.
The protesting grapplers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, have been demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan, who they have accused of sexually harassing several women wrestlers, including a minor.
On 28 April, Delhi Police filed two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by six adult wrestlers and the father of a minor wrestler.
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