In a recent tweet, former Congress leader Kapil Sibal questioned the political significance of accused Wrestlers Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan’s dismissal from his position. On Saturday, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on sexual harassment allegations levelled against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, asking whether the accused is so important electorally in Uttar Pradesh that he cannot be removed from his post until the investigation is completed. Kapil Sibal’s criticism of the government came just a day after Delhi Police recorded the statements of seven female wrestlers in connection with the complaints filed against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
On April 28, Delhi Police filed two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment claims made by female wrestlers against the WFI’s president. The wrestlers were represented at the Supreme Court by eminent counsel Kapil Sibal. Sibal stated in a tweet, “Brij Bhushan; 2 Wrestlers to police: Allegation: On the pretext of checking breath, touched……My question: Is he so important for UP elections that can’t be removed as President of the Federation till the investigation is over.” “What about your slogan: ‘beti bachao’….Why PM, HM silent?” the former Union minister stated.
According to police, one of the complaints against WFI chairman Singh was filed under IPC sections 354 (attack or criminal force on a woman with the purpose to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), while the other was filed under POCSO Act section 10. Several wrestlers have been demonstrating at Jantar Mantar, demanding that the government make public the conclusions of an oversight body that looked into Singh’s sexual harassment allegations. Last Monday, the wrestlers continued their sit-in, declaring that they would not leave the protest site until Singh was apprehended.
