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This story was originally published on 10 August 2024. It is being republished from The Quint's archives in light of the Sports Ministry revoking the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India. Brij Bhushan Singh's aide Sanjay Singh will now have complete control over the Federation.)
Ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat on 7 August missed the chance to win a historic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was disqualified after the mandatory morning weigh-in ahead of the bout showed her being overweight by 100 grams.
But only a year ago, Phogat, along with her fellow wrestlers, was fighting a tougher battle on the streets of Delhi.
They accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), of sexual harassment of female wrestlers during his tenure. Allegations of groping, touching their breasts and navels without consent, stalking, intimidation, and demanding "sexual favours" in exchange for professional help, were levelled by the complainants in an FIR registered with the Delhi Police.