Wrestlers' protest: Dronacharya awardee coach named along with Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in FIR; Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad meet wrestlers

An FIR has been registered against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and a Dronacharya awardee coach based on allegations of sexual exploitation levelled by some female wrestlers.

New Delhi: The name of a Dronacharya awardee coach has been included in the FIR lodged against the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The FIR was registered against the WFI chief and the coach on the basis of sexual exploitation allegations levelled by some female wrestlers on Friday night at the Connaught Place police station.

Police said interrogation of both Singh and the coach would be done soon. The counselor of the women's commission is counselling a minor girl, who allegedly is a victim in this case. This apart, six other female wrestlers have accused the MP of sexual exploitation. The minor girl alleged that Singh sexually assaulted her whenever she went for practicing. He also threatened to spoil her career when she tried to protest.

Many renowned wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last one week demanding Singh's arrest. Several politicians have queued up to meet the protesting wrestlers and extend their support to them.

On the eighth day of protest today, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad reached Jantar Mantar to meet the wrestlers. "This fight is not of any party, caste or religion, but of justice. The government is looking at the protest through the prism of religion. They are saying that this is a Jat movement," he said.

Lashing out at the central government Azad said it was unfortunate that people have to protest for getting justice in the country. He alleged that the common people are being continuously tortured in the BJP-led government. "The daughters who made the country proud have to protest in order to raise their voice against atrocities against them," he said.

The Bhim Army always works for the interest of the country and has been raising its voice against atrocities, he said. Azad criticised the BJP-led government of trying to shield the accused. "On one hand, the government issues the slogan of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and on the other hand, the daughters of our country are being tortured and exploited. But, till now no statement has come from the government. This fight is no longer the wrestlers' fight. It has become the fight of the entire country. Everyone knows how many criminal cases are registered against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Despite this, no action is being taken against them," he added.

On Saturday morning, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met the wrestlers followed by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.