Boxing legend MC Mary Kom will lead the five-member oversight committee that will probe into the sexual allegations on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Sports Ministry said on Monday. The other members of the committee include the Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton player and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Crd (Retd) Rajesh Rajagopalan and former SAI executive director – teams – Radhica Sreeman. The ministry has also asked this committee to oversee day-to-day activities of the federation and complete its enquiry within four weeks.

Several&nbsp;high-profile wrestlers&nbsp;including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Vijay Dahiya among others sat in front of Jantar Mantar on last Wednesday in their protest against WFI chief and other officials over sexual misconduct on female wrestlers for a long time. While the wrestlers demanded immediate&nbsp;sacking of WFI chief Brij Bhushan, he got temporarily suspended from his post till the investigation is going on, as per latest orders from the Anurag Thakur-chaired Sports Ministry.

Following getting an assurance from the Ministry that a probe will begin into this, the&nbsp;wrestlers ended the protest on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), they informed everyone about the formation of this new oversight committee who will now take the matter in their hands.

"With an effort to safeguard the interest of athletes, following complaints by wrestlers of sexual harassment by the President, other officials and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India, and to promote good governance in WFI following allegations of financial mismanagement and arbitrariness by athletes, the Ministry of Sports has formed an Oversight Committee to enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, levelled by prominent sportspersons," a SAI statement read.

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Boxer MC Mary Kom to head Oversight Committee for Wrestling Federation of India. 
 
Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Dhyanchand awardee Trupti Murgunde, SAI member Radhica Sreeman and ex-CEO TOPS Cdr Rajesh Rajagopalan (Retd) also part of the committee <a href="https://t.co/Dj1fUXP7LZ">pic.twitter.com/Dj1fUXP7LZ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1617471277522096130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The statement further added, "Further, the Ministry has instructed the executive committee of WFI to abstain from managing the day-to-day activities of the federation, with immediate effect, until further communication."

Boxing legend MC Mary Kom will lead the five-member oversight committee that will probe into the sexual allegations on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Sports Ministry said on Monday.

Boxing legend MC Mary Kom will lead the five-member oversight committee that will probe into the sexual allegations on Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Sports Ministry said on Monday. The other members of the committee include the Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, former badminton player and Mission Olympic Cell member Trupti Murgunde, ex-TOPS CEO Crd (Retd) Rajesh Rajagopalan and former SAI executive director – teams – Radhica Sreeman. The ministry has also asked this committee to oversee day-to-day activities of the federation and complete its enquiry within four weeks. Several high-profile wrestlers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Vijay Dahiya among others sat in front of Jantar Mantar on last Wednesday in their protest against WFI chief and other officials over sexual misconduct on female wrestlers for a long time. While the wrestlers demanded immediate sacking of WFI chief Brij Bhushan, he got temporarily suspended from his post till the investigation is going on, as per latest orders from the Anurag Thakur-chaired Sports Ministry. Following getting an assurance from the Ministry that a probe will begin into this, the wrestlers ended the protest on Saturday night. Meanwhile, in a statement released by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), they informed everyone about the formation of this new oversight committee who will now take the matter in their hands. "With an effort to safeguard the interest of athletes, following complaints by wrestlers of sexual harassment by the President, other officials and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India, and to promote good governance in WFI following allegations of financial mismanagement and arbitrariness by athletes, the Ministry of Sports has formed an Oversight Committee to enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and/intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, levelled by prominent sportspersons," a SAI statement read. Boxer MC Mary Kom to head Oversight Committee for Wrestling Federation of India. Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, Dhyanchand awardee Trupti Murgunde, SAI member Radhica Sreeman and ex-CEO TOPS Cdr Rajesh Rajagopalan (Retd) also part of the committee pic.twitter.com/Dj1fUXP7LZ — ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2023 × The statement further added, "Further, the Ministry has instructed the executive committee of WFI to abstain from managing the day-to-day activities of the federation, with immediate effect, until further communication."

Mary Kom-led five-member oversight committee to probe into sexual allegations on WFI chief

Following an announcement that a new oversight committee will be formed that will probe into this matter, accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will step aside from his post till the investigation is completed, Anurag Thakur - Union Sports Minister informed the media on late Saturday night. Anurag also promised the wrestlers that their grievances will be heard after which the star grapplers decided to call off the protest that began on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

While the names of the members of the committee will be announced soon, Thakur said the committee will complete its investigation within four weeks.

"It has been decided that an oversight committee will be formed. Names for which will be announced tomorrow. The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. The wrestlers put forward their demands. I have assured them that appropriate steps will be taken. All allegations of sexual harassment and financial misappropriation will be probed," Thakur said in a press conference on Saturday.

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"Till the investigation is over, he (Singh) will step aside and co-operate with the investigation and the oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI," Thakur added.

Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alongside&nbsp;World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat were among the few big names who were part of the protest&nbsp;as they accused Brij and other members of WFI of sexual misconduct on female players over the past year or so. Punia, who was leading the protest thanked Anurag Thakur for providing assurance that steps against the accused will be taken.

"We have received assurances from the respected minister. I thank you. We protested only as a last resort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has really helped our game," Punia said.

Earlier, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that a seven-member committee will be formed that will also probe wrestlers’ allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI president. This committee will be chaired by the former Olympic medalist Mary Kom while the Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav, archer Dola Banerjee, Olympic medal winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt will also be part of the panel.

Following an announcement that a new oversight committee will be formed that will probe into this matter, accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will step aside from his post till the investigation is completed, Anurag Thakur - Union Sports Minister informed the media on late Saturday night.

Following an announcement that a new oversight committee will be formed that will probe into this matter, accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will step aside from his post till the investigation is completed, Anurag Thakur - Union Sports Minister informed the media on late Saturday night. Anurag also promised the wrestlers that their grievances will be heard after which the star grapplers decided to call off the protest that began on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. While the names of the members of the committee will be announced soon, Thakur said the committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. "It has been decided that an oversight committee will be formed. Names for which will be announced tomorrow. The committee will complete its investigation within four weeks. The wrestlers put forward their demands. I have assured them that appropriate steps will be taken. All allegations of sexual harassment and financial misappropriation will be probed," Thakur said in a press conference on Saturday. ALSO READ: ‘I want him sitting beside me’: Ricky Ponting’s endearing wish for Rishabh Pant "Till the investigation is over, he (Singh) will step aside and co-operate with the investigation and the oversight committee will run the day-to-day affairs of WFI," Thakur added. Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alongside World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat were among the few big names who were part of the protest as they accused Brij and other members of WFI of sexual misconduct on female players over the past year or so. Punia, who was leading the protest thanked Anurag Thakur for providing assurance that steps against the accused will be taken. "We have received assurances from the respected minister. I thank you. We protested only as a last resort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has really helped our game," Punia said. Earlier, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced that a seven-member committee will be formed that will also probe wrestlers’ allegations of sexual harassment against the WFI president. This committee will be chaired by the former Olympic medalist Mary Kom while the Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav, archer Dola Banerjee, Olympic medal winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt will also be part of the panel.

WFI chief to step aside as wrestlers call off protest; Anurag Thakur assures probe into the matter

In its response to the Sports Ministry over allegations of sexual misconduct on female wrestlers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) denied all accusations leveled against their president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other members, claiming as the federation is managed by an elected body as per its constitution there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in the sports body.

The pool of celebrated wrestlers who sat at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday in their protest against Brij Bhushan over physical harassment called it off on late Friday night after getting assurance from the government that probe into the matter will be done.&nbsp;Following their meeting with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vijay Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat alongside many others decided not to lodge an FIR against Brij Bhushan.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wfi-chief-to-step-aside-as-wrestlers-call-off-protest-anurag-thakur-assures-probe-into-the-matter-554658">WFI chief to step aside as wrestlers call off protest; Anurag Thakur assures probe into the matter</a>

Thakur also confirmed in the presser that a committee will be formed that will investigate the matter and come up with a decision in four weeks. He also said that till then Brij Bhushan will have to step aside from his position. Besides this, the IOA had also announced a seven-member committee, chaired by the Boxing legend and Olympic medalist Mary Kom, who will probe into this matter.

"The WFI is managed by an elected body as per its constitution, and therefore, there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in WFI by any one individually, including the president," the WFI said in its response to the sports ministry.

"The WFI, in particular, under the sitting president, has always acted keeping the best interests of wrestlers in mind.

"The WFI has enhanced the image of wrestling sport nationally as well as internationally and for the record of this ministry, it is not possible without fair, supportive, clean and strict management of WFI," it added.

In its response to the Sports Ministry over allegations of sexual misconduct on female wrestlers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) denied all accusations leveled against their president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other members, claiming as the federation is managed by an elected body as per its constitution there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in the sports body.

In its response to the Sports Ministry over allegations of sexual misconduct on female wrestlers, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) denied all accusations leveled against their president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other members, claiming as the federation is managed by an elected body as per its constitution there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in the sports body. The pool of celebrated wrestlers who sat at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday in their protest against Brij Bhushan over physical harassment called it off on late Friday night after getting assurance from the government that probe into the matter will be done. Following their meeting with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vijay Dahiya and Vinesh Phogat alongside many others decided not to lodge an FIR against Brij Bhushan. ALSO READ: WFI chief to step aside as wrestlers call off protest; Anurag Thakur assures probe into the matter Thakur also confirmed in the presser that a committee will be formed that will investigate the matter and come up with a decision in four weeks. He also said that till then Brij Bhushan will have to step aside from his position. Besides this, the IOA had also announced a seven-member committee, chaired by the Boxing legend and Olympic medalist Mary Kom, who will probe into this matter. "The WFI is managed by an elected body as per its constitution, and therefore, there is no scope for arbitrariness and mismanagement in WFI by any one individually, including the president," the WFI said in its response to the sports ministry. "The WFI, in particular, under the sitting president, has always acted keeping the best interests of wrestlers in mind. "The WFI has enhanced the image of wrestling sport nationally as well as internationally and for the record of this ministry, it is not possible without fair, supportive, clean and strict management of WFI," it added.

WFI denies all allegations leveled against chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in response to Sports Ministry