Wrestlers' protest
'Minor' complainant's uncle accuses wrestlers of deception, says his family is used to frame Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
New Delhi/IBNS: Claiming to be the uncle of the 'minor' complainant in the sexual harassment charge against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Amit Pehlwan, Wednesday said that his niece is actually 20 years old, and is being used by the protesting wrestlers to frame the wrestling body chief.
The protesting wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat are demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who they have accused of sexually harassing several women including a minor.
However, Amit alleged that the wrestlers are engaged in a fraudulent scheme. He said that the age of his brother's daughter (his niece) has been altered to 16 years so that the wrestlers could wrongly exploit the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to him, the girl was born on February 22, 2004.
"These wrestlers are manipulating my family for their own gain. The alleged victim, whom they claim is a minor, is actually part of my family. She is my niece, and I am her uncle," Amit stated during an interaction with reporters in Rohtak as quoted by editorji.com
Claiming that the POCSO Act cannot be applied in this case, as the supposed victim is 20 years old, Amit questioned whether this is a misuse of the provision.
Amit, who has a strained relationship with his brother (the girl's father), explained that he became aware of the entire situation only 10 to 15 days ago when the police visited his home as part of their investigation.
"A special investigation team (SIT) arrived at our house with two sub-inspectors and two female officers to conduct their inquiry. These wrestlers misled my brother. They are shedding crocodile tears (referring to Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat)," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda said Amit Pehlwan's claims are part of a conspiracy by the BJP to reveal the identity of the minor.
On Tuesday, the wrestlers, who allege that their protest against the wrestling federation chief has been largely ignored, announced their decision to consign the medals to Ganga
Later they shelved their plans to immerse their medals in Ganga at Haridwar after intervention from farmer leader Naresh Tikait.
The wrestlers had given a five-day deadline for action against wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
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