Bajrang Punia gets bail in criminal defamation case filed by coach Naresh Dahiya

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Decorated wrestler Bajrang Punia was granted bail by a Delhi court on Thursday after coach Naresh Dahiya filed a criminal defamation case against Bajrang, who is accused of tarnishing the image of the coach during the protest against WFI's now-former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

During the wrestlers' protest, Bajrang Punia said that Maresh Dahiya is as guilty as Brij Bhushan in the rape accusations by female wrestlers against the top brass of the wrestling body. Dahiya then moved the court which had summoned Bajrang, who recently suffered defeat at the Asian Games 2023 to return without 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.

Naresh Dahiya had contended in the court that he has been acquitted in the rape case and Bajrang's comments brought him bad name. Wrestlers Bajrang, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik had led a protest against WFI chief, alleging that he had sexually exploited several women wrestlers. Singh, who is now facing a court case in the matter, has denied all the charges.