India wrestling chief bailed in sexual harassment case
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who is accused of sexually harassing six female wrestlers, arrives to appear before a court in New Delhi, India, July 18, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
An Indian court granted bail on Thursday to the country's wrestling federation president, who is charged with sexual harassment and stalking, his lawyer said.
Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also a lawmaker for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been accused by Olympic medallists and other Indian wrestlers of groping female athletes and demanding sexual favours.
Singh, 66, denies all charges and has said he was a victim of a "conspiracy".
Read more: Police charge India wrestling chief with sexual harassment
In April, a group of wrestlers protested in the capital New Delhi demanding his arrest, and he was charged in June.
The weeks-long demonstration by India's top wrestlers, including world champion medallist Vinesh Phogat and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, attracted support and sympathy from across the country.
Fellow athletes including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra lent their support.
Wrestling is hugely popular in rural northern India and images of star athletes being detained as they tried to march to parliament in May went viral on social media.