India’s star Wrestler Bajrang Punia granted bail on November 9 by a Delhi court in a criminal defamation case filed by coach Naresh Dahiya. The coach accused the top wrestler of damaging his reputation with statements made during the protest against former federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
In the midst of the wrestlers' protest, Bajrang said that Dahiya lacked credibility to oppose the agitation due to his own alleged involvement in a rape case. Responding to the allegations, Dahiya took the matter to court, leading to Bajrang being summoned. He recently lost at the Asian Games and failed to win a medal.
"Bajrang had sought exemption from physical appearance and missed the first three hearings. He appeared physically today and the court has granted him bail. The next date for hearing is March 5," advocate Rajesh Kumar Rexwal, who represented Dahiya, told PTI after the proceedings.
Dahiya argued in court that he had been acquitted in the rape case, and Bajrang's comments had adversely affected his reputation.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik had spearheaded a protest against the WFI chief, alleging sexual exploitation of several women wrestlers. Singh, currently facing a court case, vehemently denies all charges.
Punia has been actively protesting the alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers by Brij Bhushan Singh, Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The reported incidents span from 2012 to 2022, prompting Punia to call for public support at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
After a confrontation between wrestlers and Delhi police at Jantar Mantar, Punia expressed concern about the treatment of wrestlers and its potential impact on their careers.
In a significant achievement, Punia secured the gold medal by convincingly defeating Canada's Lachlan McNeil in the 65kg final bout at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Punia holds the distinction of being the sole Indian wrestler to secure four medals at the World Wrestling Championships. Currently, he is a prominent figure in the ongoing 2023 protest by Indian wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
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