Wrestlers' protest: Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh; why FIRs registered against him?

PTC News Desk: As the protest by some of the India’s leading international wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh entered sixth day, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him.

The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim, registered under POCSO Act along with relevant IPC sections concerning outraging of modesty.

Also Read: Delhi Police register two FIRs against WFI chief

The second FIR is registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by other, adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outraging of modesty. 

Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh? 

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh , a BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh and the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Born in Gonda, the six-time MP is himself a wrestler.

President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for almost 10 years, he is also the vice-president of the United World Wrestling-Asia.

Though, mostly, he has been in the BJP, Brij Bhushan contested on a Samajwadi Party ticket in 2009 General Elections. 

As of March 2023, he has over 40 FIRs against him, for criminal offences including robbery, causing voluntary harm to public servants, illegal carrying of arms and even attempt to murder.

Political journey of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

As a political leader, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a six time Member of Parliament, five times from BJP and one time from Samajwadi Party

In 1991 he was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha from Gonda constituency in Uttar Pradesh as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. Again he was reelected in 1999 from the same constituency. Then in 2004 he was elected from Balrampur constituency. In 2008, the wrestler joined Samajwadi Party after BJP expelled him for cross voting in the parliament. 

Later in 2009, he again joined Bhartiya Janata Party and he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kaiserganj. 

Why FIRs registered against him? – The Case 

WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was accused by the wrestlers of sexual misconduct and intimidation. The government established a five-member oversight council to oversee WFI operations. Boxer Mary Kom is heading the oversight committee which was formed to probe into the allegations levelled against the WFI and its chief Singh and other coaches.

On Monday, the Delhi Police sought a report from the investigation committee set up by the Union Sports Ministry to investigate the allegations and has begun a probe into the fresh complaint by wrestlers.

After a protest led by some prominent wrestlers of the country this January, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an 'oversight committee' to probe allegations levelled against the WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.

The committee was tasked with submitting a report on the issue to the ministry.

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Meanwhile, top wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar here in the national capital after filing a complaint at the Connaught Place police station on Friday stating that seven female wrestlers, including one minor, were harassed and exploited by Brij Bhushan in his capacity as WFI chief.

Top Indian grapplers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many other wrestlers are involved in the protest against the WFI chief.

- With inputs from agencies

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