Wrestlers should have taken this step 3 months ago, says Yogeshwar Dutt

Former Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, a member of the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) seven-member committee charged with investigating the wrestlers’ allegations of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, stated that an FIR has been filed and that the grapplers should now focus on their practice.

The Delhi Police filed two FIRs against WFI president Singh on Friday, alleging sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers. Top Indian wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many others have joined the protest against the WFI chief.

For those unversed, the wrestlers have been sleeping and training at the protest site near Jantar Mantar in the national capital for the past six days.

“The wrestlers should have taken this step 3 months ago. FIR has been registered, now the wrestlers should focus on their practice. Even the Prime Minister does not have the right to punish only the court does” Yogeshwar Dutt told the media.

Dutt also stated that the committee formed was tasked with submitting a report after hearing from both sides. Neither the committee nor the country’s Prime Minister have the authority to punish. Only the court has the authority to sentence.

“An FIR has been registered in this matter and as I said earlier also, the wrestlers should have taken steps to get the FIR registered 3 months back. Nothing happens while sitting at home,” Dutt added.