IOA sets up seven-member committee to probe allegations against WFI chief

India's Olympic Association on Friday formed a seven member committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the country's Wrestling Federation.

A panel consisting of boxing legend M C Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt has been set up to probe allegations against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The panel also includes archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation of India (IWLF) president Sahdev Yadav.

Allegations against Singh came to the fore after protests against the federation chief by the country's top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat. The agitating sportspeople got in touch with the IOA demanding the formation of a panel to investigate the allegations.


Following their protests, the committee held an emergency Executive Council meeting, which was attended by the likes of Abhinav Bindra and Yogeshwar Dutt as well as IOA president PT Usha and joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey.

In a letter addressed to IOA president, the wrestlers alleged financial misappropriation (of funds) on part of the WFI and claimed that the coaches and sports science staff at the national camp are "absolutely incompetent".