IOA Forms Seven-Member Panel To Probe Sexual Harassment Allegations Against WFI Chief

NEW DELHI: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Friday formed a seven-member committee to probe the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by the top grapplers of the country.

The panel members include boxer M.C. Mary Kom, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Dola Banerjee, Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav, Alaknanda Ashok, and two advocates.

The decision was taken during IOA's emergency executive council meeting which was attended by the likes of Abhinav Bindra, Yogeshwar along with IOA president P.T. Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey. Shiva Keshvan was a special invitee at the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, the protesting wrestlers had written to IOA chief P.T. Usha, accusing Brij Bhushan Saran Singh of sexual exploitation and financial irregularities.

The letter, which was signed by top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, Shakshi Malik and Deepak Punia, demanded the resignation of the WFI chief and the formation of an inquiry committee to probe the charges of sexual harassment.

The letter further stated that Vinesh was mentally harassed and tortured by the WFI chief after she missed out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo, which led her to almost contemplate suicide.

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