India Supreme Court to hear plea against wrestling chief

The Supreme Court of India will hear a petition by top wrestlers demanding a case be filed against Brij Bhushan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India, over allegations of sexual abuse by several female athletes. 

Mr Singh, who is also a lawmaker from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party, has denied the allegations. The wrestlers had called off protests in January after the government promised to investigate, but relaunched the agitation last week demanding immediate action. They also claimed Delhi Police failed to register a case against Singh despite several female wrestlers filing complaints. 

The top court said the allegations were “serious” and asked the police for an explanation. The case has prompted debate in India, with some prominent sportspeople supporting the athletes and others suggesting that protests harm the country’s image.