New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh Saturday said that though resignation is not a big deal for him, he will not tender his resignation because he believes he is not a criminal. He reasoned that if he resigns it will send a wrong signal that he has accepted the allegations made by the protesting wrestlers.
The BJP MP from Kaisarganj further stated that his tenure is almost going to end. The government has already formed a three-member committee and elections will be held in 45 days following which his term as the WFI president will end, he said.
Responding to the allegations against him by the wrestlers' he said that the protesting grapplers are coming up with new demands every day. Even after their demand for registration of FIR was met by the Delhi Police they kept protesting, he said. "They are now saying that I should be sent to jail and resign from all posts. I am MP because people from my constituency voted for me, not because of Vinesh Phogat," he claimed. He also mentioned that only one wrestling family and Akhara is protesting against him, the majority of people from Haryana are with him.
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Pointing out the duplicity of the wrestlers Singh said that they did not complain to any police station, sports ministry, or federation in the last 12 years. Earlier, the wrestlers used to shower praises on him, invite him to their weddings, take photographs with him and seek his blessings, but now they have come out in protest against him, he said. "The matter is now with the Supreme Court and the Delhi Police. I will accept their decision," Singh said. The WFI chief further claimed that some industrialists and Congress are behind this protest by wrestlers.
Singh added that he has not received a copy of the FIR alleging sexual harassment charges against him yet. He claimed that he is 'innocent' and ready to face the investigation and cooperate with the investigative agency. In a significant turn to the wrestlers' protest in Delhi, the Delhi Police Friday registered two FIRs against the WFI chief following the Supreme Court's insistence.
The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor which is registered under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty. The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints by adult complainants under relevant IPC sections pertaining to outraging of modesty.
Also read: "I have full faith in judiciary...", WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Earlier, speaking on the matter, the WFI chief said that he has full faith in the judiciary and that he is not running anywhere. "I am in my house. By now a case must have been filed against me. I will cooperate with Delhi Police. Whatever the decision of the Supreme Court, I will follow it," he said. Speaking about the allegations he retorted by saying that the players who are protesting know better.
In the Supreme Court hearing on Friday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police said, "We have decided to register an FIR. It will be registered today." Seven women wrestlers had approached the top court alleging non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Brijbhushan Singh. The wrestlers, however, decided not to step back following registration of the FIR. They said that their protests will continue till the time Singh is put behind bars.
