‘Not Consulted, Unfortunate’: Top Wrestler On WFI Probe Panel Members

Wrestler Sakshi Malik, who was one of the top sportspersons protesting in Delhi last week against Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the formation of a panel into the sexual harassment allegations against him without consultation.

Her reaction comes a day after it was announced that boxing legend Mary Kom will be the head of a five-member Oversight Committee that will run the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and also probe into claims that have been made by top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, in the last few days.

In her tweet in Hindi, Sakshi Malik wrote: “We were assured that before the constitution of the Oversight Committee, we would be consulted. It’s very unfortunate that our even our suggestions were not taken.”

The three-day long protests at the national capital’s Jantar Mantar had caught wide attention. Vijender Singh, and Bajrang Punia among others were also part of the demonstrations as action was sought BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was accused of sexual harassment. The stir was called off following assurances from the central government while the WFI chief was asked to step aside till the investigation against him concluded. The wrestling body also suspended its activities.

On Monday, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur – while making the announcement about the Oversight Committee – said: “The committee will look into the serious allegations levelled against WFI. It will listen to both sides and complete its probe in one month and submit a report. Till the probe is completed, the Committee will also be in charge of the functioning of the WFI,” Thakur said.

Apart from boxing great Mary Kom, other members of the committee are London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton player Trupti Murgunde, a member of SAI’s Mission Olympic cell, and former SAI administrators Radhica Sreeman, and Cdr Rajesh Rajagopalan.

Meanwhile, news agency ANI cited people linked to Sports Ministry, familiar with matter, and reported that three out of five names in the panel were suggested by the wrestlers who protested, suggesting they were kept in loop.