Security Of Wrestlers Withdrawn By Delhi Police, Alleges Vinesh Phogat; Cops Respond

Top Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday said that the Delhi police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are set to testify against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a Delhi court.

Vinesh and several other wrestlers including her cousin sister Sangeeta Phogat, who is the wife of Bajrang Punia, had accused Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation.

The Delhi police had lodged an FIR and then filed a chargesheet against the BJP leader in the case. The next hearing in the case is on Friday.

“Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court,” Vinesh tweeted and tagged Delhi Police and Delhi and National Commissions of Women.

Responding to Vinesh’s allegation, the Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police responded saying that security provided to the wrestlers has not been withdrawn, in fact Delhi Police decided to request Haryana Police to take over the responsibility as wrestlers. The decision came in view that the potectees live in Haryana.

“The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to takeover the responsibility in future, since the protectees normally reside there,” DCP Delhi responded.

The assigned Delhi Police PSOs misunderstood this decision and got delayed in reporting today. The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues, the DCP informed.

Vinesh had reached the Paris Olympic final but was disqualified from the Games for being overweight ahead of the gold medal bout.

(With inputs from PTI)