'Centre told us investigation will conclude on June 15, suspend protest till then,' claim wrestlers

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The protesting wrestlers on Wednesday (June 7) informed that the Narendra Modi Government has asked them to suspend their agitation till June 15 and assured the investigation into the sexual harassment charges filed against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The elite wrestlers from India Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat had a long meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday (June 7) at the latter's residence in New Delhi.

While interacting with media persons after their meeting, Sakshi Malik said, "The Government has sought time till June 15 for the investigations to conclude, but the wrestlers' protest is not over yet."

"We have been asked to suspend our protest till police complete its investigation by June 15," she added. The wrestlers, including a minor, have filed a sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan, a sitting BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh.

Wrestler Bajrang Punia also told that they discussed several issues with the minister, including the matter of security of all female wrestlers.

"We had a discussion on some issues. Police investigation should be completed by 15th June and the minister has requested us not to hold protests until then. He also said the security of female wrestlers will be taken care of. We have requested that all FIRs against wrestlers should be taken back and he has agreed to it," Punia said.

"Government has assured us that the police investigation will be completed before 15th June. We have requested that all FIRs against wrestlers should be taken back and he has agreed to it. If no action is taken by 15th June, we will continue our protest," Punia added further.

After meeting with protesting wrestlers at his residence in Delhi, Thakur said, "A very positive discussion was held with the (protesting) wrestlers. They have demanded that the investigation (on charges against WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) be concluded and the chargesheet be filed by June 15."

The wrestlers' meeting with the Sports Minister came after they met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday. Punia informed the media that Shah told them that the investigation was underway. The Tokyo Olympics bronze-medallist grappler claimed Shah asked the wrestlers not to reveal their meeting, but they later leaked it to the media.