WFI Return To Brij Bhushan's Home Despite Ongoing Case
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) office is back at its old address. As per a news report, the office is back at working at the long-time MP residence of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also the former chief of the federation and was accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers. WFI claimed it to be a temporary arrangement.
WFI was suspended by the Sports Ministry in December 2023. While suspending, the Ministry said that running the federation from within premises controlled by former officer bearers was one of the reasons for their action. It has been functioning at Singh’s home despite the ongoing sexual harassment trial against him.
As per the Delhi Police chargesheet, two wrestlers had alleged that incidents of inappropriate touch and groping occurred at the WFI office located at the said house.
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“We operated from a small Hari Nagar office and were looking for a better place but the uncertainty due to the government suspension delayed shifting to a full-fledged office”, sad WFI. “On Basant Panchami, we will move to the new office in CP. All this confusion is due to suspension. Hopefully it will be lifted and we will be able to work freely”, it further added.
“Currently the WFI office is in Hari Nagar and we are looking for a new place”, said Singh. He further added that “I have been associated with wrestling for a long time and because of this wrestlers and people associated with the sport keep coming to 21, Ashoka Road”.
After months of protest by top wrestlers of the country, including Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, Singh faced legal charges. He was charged of stalking, harassment, and intimidation, along with making “sexually coloured remarks”.
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Within weeks of taking case by the Sports Ministry in 2023, WFI had moved to a one-room premises in Hari Nagar.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said that the government cannot decide from where WFI’s office functions from. “WFI ka office kahaan chalega kahaan nahi chalega ye Sarkar ka prakaran nahi hai (Government can’t decide from where the WFI’s office will function)”, he said.
