India’s top wrestlers have been protesting for 38 days now. But sections of the media cited unnamed police sources today to allege there’s “no sufficient evidence” to arrest BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Singh has been accused of sexually harassing female athletes, including a minor. News organisations quoted “top sources” in the Delhi police about the purported lack of evidence.
"Despite issuing the clarification, top sources have told me that Delhi Police isn't in a position to arrest BJP MP #BrijBhushanSharanSingh anytime soon," @priyanktripathi tells @DEKAMEGHNA. pic.twitter.com/awyCBrlx3X
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 31, 2023
Till now, we have not found sufficient evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh. Within 15 days we'll be filing our report in court. It could be in the form of chargesheet or final report. There is no supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim: Top Sources in Delhi Police to ANI
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2023
#WrestlersProtest | 'No concrete proof so far to arrest #WFIChief Brij Bhushan Singh': Delhi Police sources
— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 31, 2023
News18's @anshuls with details #Wrestlers #SakshiMalik #VineshPhogat #BajrangPunia #BrijBhushanSharanSingh #BrijbhushanSingh pic.twitter.com/kopeSgRT7T
No supportive evidence to prove wrestlers' claim, say Delhi Police sources (ANI)
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) May 31, 2023
Catch the day's latest news and updates | https://t.co/jOL03gqYVB pic.twitter.com/xPn6ilLsSn
The Delhi police tweeted that the media claims were “wrong” and an investigation is still underway. Oddly, the tweet was deleted soon after.
The police’s clarification, as cited in this Hindustan Times report, said: “Several media channels are running a story that the Delhi Police hasn't found sufficient evidence in the cases registered against the Ex-President of WFI and a final report in the matter is due to be submitted before the concerned Court. It is to clarify that this news is ‘wrong’ and the investigation into this sensitive case is under progress with all sensitivity.”
Newslaundry has been reporting at length on the wrestlers’ protest. On Sunday, the Delhi police forcibly ended their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar. The wrestlers have now said they will go to the Ganga in five days to immerse their medals in protest. Watch this video report for more.
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