File photo NEW DELHI: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Sunday disclosed that she is one of the six female wrestlers who had accused former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment.The announcement comes just days before her return at a ranking tournament in Brij Bhushan’s stronghold Gonda, marking her first appearance in nearly 20 months after coming out of retirement in Dec last year.Vinesh, a two-time World Championships medallist and three-time Olympian, had earlier not publicly identified herself, citing ongoing legal proceedings. In a 4-minute, 22-second Instagram video, she said “certain circumstances” compelled her to speak out despite the matter being sub judice.“The SC guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed … but today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you something,” said Vinesh, “I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing.”Wrestler Flags Fear Of Bias At Gonda EventVinesh has raised serious concerns about the competition’s fairness and venue, alleging that it is being held in Brij Bhushan’s bastion and at an institution linked to him.“For a woman, competing in such a situation is very difficult,” she said. “He has his own private college, and this competition is being organised there… it is almost impossible that every hard working athlete will get their due.”WFI president Sanjay Singh said the venue for the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda would not be changed and offered a “personal guarantee” for her safety.Vinesh is now also a legislator, having won the Julana seat in Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024. Urging transparency about the venue, she said, “If any untoward incident happens to me, my team or supporters, the Indian govt will be responsible”.She alleged officiating and scoring could be influenced by those loyal to Singh.Brij Bhushan willcontrol points ofthe bout: Vinesh“Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give…all of these will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. And the govt and our sports ministry are watching this as silent spectators,” added Vinesh, now also a legislator after winning the Julana seat in Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024.Sanjay Singh told PTI that “If Vinesh is worried about her safety, let me assure her that I am taking personal guarantee of that. Also, we have UWW-approved referees who officiate and all trial bouts are recorded, so there is no chance of any bias”.”And let me add that this is an Open tournament which is not mandatory. The choice is hers to compete. We are not going to change the venue,” Singh said.Vinesh was a central figure in the 2023 protests at Jantar Mantar, where the country’s top female wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of intimidation and sexual harassment and demanded accountability from WFI.The case against Brij Bhushan, who has denied all allegations, continues in court with victim testimonies still being recorded. When contacted, Singh declined to comment, stating that the matter is under judicial consideration.Her comeback tournament, the National Open Ranking scheduled from May 10 to 12 in Gonda, is part of the Senior Open ranking series and will see her compete in the 57kg category.The event serves as a pathway for wrestlers aiming to enter the national camp and stake a claim in the Asian Games trials.Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu election results, West Bengal election results, Kerala election results, Assam election results and Puducherry election results on Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNepal Objects To India-China Plan To Conduct Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Via LipulekhIndia-Linked LPG Tanker MT Sarv Shakti Heads To Visakhapatnam After Crossing HormuzPassenger Opens Emergency Exit Door On Air Arabia Flight While Taxiing At Chennai Airport, ArrestedAhead Of Counting, Gunmen Open Fire At BJP Leader’s House In Bengal’s Noapara‘I Am Also A Victim’: Vinesh Phogat Identifies As Complainant In Brij Bhushan Sexual Harassment CaseBJP MP Sandeep Pathak Claims ‘No Information’ On FIRs, Alleges Misuse Of State Machinery In PunjabIndian Startup Launches Mission Drishti, World’s First OptoSAR Satellite, Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9Diljit Dosanjh Confronts Khalistan Supporters at Calgary Concert, Explains KBC AppearanceDelhi Approves ₹48,000 Crore Metro Expansion Plan To Connect Outer Regions With City CoreVietnam President To Lam’s First State Visit To India: What It Means For New Delhi-Hanoi Ties123PhotostoriesYou’re brushing your teeth wrong: What dentist says most people missHow to make Pudina Paratha for summer breakfast5 Bengali breads every foodie should try5 rare watches from Sachin Tendulkar’s collection you should knowYou’re walking, but not like this: How interval walking improves fitness naturallySubtle signs you might be vitamin D deficient, and what your body is trying to tell youRed vs green Apple: How to choose the right one for your health goalsRihanna to Katy Perry: 7 most bizarre Met Gala looks that stole the spotlightBhagavad Gita lessons to overcome life’s challenges and stay happySudden back pain? It might not be muscle strain; here’s how to spot kidney stones early and what to do123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingWest Bengal Assembly Election ResultsAssam Assembly Election ResultsTamil Nadu Assembly Election ResultsKerala Assembly Election ResultsPuducherry Assembly Election ResultsPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Sunday disclosed that she is one of the six female wrestlers who had accused former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment.The announcement comes just days before her return at a ranking tournament in Brij Bhushan’s stronghold Gonda, marking her first appearance in nearly 20 months after coming out of retirement in Dec last year.Vinesh, a two-time World Championships medallist and three-time Olympian, had earlier not publicly identified herself, citing ongoing legal proceedings. In a 4-minute, 22-second Instagram video, she said “certain circumstances” compelled her to speak out despite the matter being sub judice.“The SC guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed … but today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you something,” said Vinesh, “I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing.”
Wrestler Flags Fear Of Bias At Gonda Event
Vinesh has raised serious concerns about the competition’s fairness and venue, alleging that it is being held in Brij Bhushan’s bastion and at an institution linked to him.“For a woman, competing in such a situation is very difficult,” she said. “He has his own private college, and this competition is being organised there… it is almost impossible that every hard working athlete will get their due.”WFI president Sanjay Singh said the venue for the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda would not be changed and offered a “personal guarantee” for her safety.Vinesh is now also a legislator, having won the Julana seat in Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024. Urging transparency about the venue, she said, “If any untoward incident happens to me, my team or supporters, the Indian govt will be responsible”.She alleged officiating and scoring could be influenced by those loyal to Singh.
Brij Bhushan willcontrol points ofthe bout: Vinesh
“Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give…all of these will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. And the govt and our sports ministry are watching this as silent spectators,” added Vinesh, now also a legislator after winning the Julana seat in Haryana on a Congress ticket in 2024.Sanjay Singh told PTI that “If Vinesh is worried about her safety, let me assure her that I am taking personal guarantee of that. Also, we have UWW-approved referees who officiate and all trial bouts are recorded, so there is no chance of any bias”.“And let me add that this is an Open tournament which is not mandatory. The choice is hers to compete. We are not going to change the venue,” Singh said.Vinesh was a central figure in the 2023 protests at Jantar Mantar, where the country’s top female wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of intimidation and sexual harassment and demanded accountability from WFI.The case against Brij Bhushan, who has denied all allegations, continues in court with victim testimonies still being recorded. When contacted, Singh declined to comment, stating that the matter is under judicial consideration.Her comeback tournament, the National Open Ranking scheduled from May 10 to 12 in Gonda, is part of the Senior Open ranking series and will see her compete in the 57kg category.The event serves as a pathway for wrestlers aiming to enter the national camp and stake a claim in the Asian Games trials.
