'I quit': Wrestler Sakshi Malik after Brij Bhushan-aide Sanjay Singh wins WFI chief election

Sakshi Malik and other protesting wrestlers were counting on rival candidate Anita Sheoran to win the WFI elections. (File photo)

Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik on Thursday, announced her retirement in an emotional address after Sanjay Singh, a loyalist of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was elected the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Sanjay Singh defeated former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anita Sheoran by 40 votes to 7 in the WFI elections held in New Delhi on December 21.

Speaking to reporters earlier, an emotional Sakshi Malik said, "We slept on the road for 40 days and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us. I want to thank everyone for their support. We fought with all our heart and might but if Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide stays as the president of WFI, I will quit wrestling..."

She and other protesting wrestlers were counting on rival candidate Anita Sheoran -- who is also one of the witnesses in the sexual harassment case against the BJP leader -- to win the election.

#WATCH | Delhi: Wrestler Sakshi Malik says "We slept for 40 days on the roads and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling..." pic.twitter.com/j1ENTRmyUN

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

After addressing the reporters, Sakshi Malik broke down and left the venue in tears.

#WATCH | Delhi: Wrestler Sakshi Malik breaks down as she leaves after addressing a press conference.

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aide Sanjay Singh has been elected as the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India. pic.twitter.com/Rc85nAkvgy

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— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

Responding to Malik's comment, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said, "I have nothing to do with this." On being asked if the wrestlers who protested against him would face any issues when they came back to practice, he said, "Federation will see the game. It will not look at the mistakes committed in the past by the wrestlers."

Sakshi Malik was referring to the protests that began after she and six other wrestlers alleged that Brij Bhushan sexually harassed women grapplers. One of the complainants said she was 16 at the time of the incident, so the wrestlers had asked that a case be filed under the stringent POCSO Act.

The months-long protest began after the wrestlers went to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan at the Connaught Place police station in New Delhi on April 21, only to be turned away by the officer-in-charge.

Read more: All about Sakshi Malik, who is at wrestlers' #MeToo protest in Delhi