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‘I Quit Wrestling’ Says Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat Breaks Down After Brij Bhushan Aide Sanjay Singh Becomes WFI Chief

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In the aftermath of Sanjay Kumar Singh’s election as the new chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on December 21, renowned wrestler Sakshi Malik has decided to bid farewell to the sport.

Sanjay Singh, a close associate of the controversial former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, secured victory over Anita Sheoran with a decisive 40 votes to 7, marking a significant shift in WFI leadership.

Back to square one for protesting wrestlers

Despite the fervent efforts of leading wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik to rally against Brij Bhushan, the election results suggest that their protest has been in vain.

The trio, despite aggressively advocating for a change in leadership, failed to garner sufficient support from their wrestling community. Consequently, a close associate of the BJP MP now assumes the leadership position, signaling a setback for the protesting wrestlers.

Sakshi Malik makes shocking decision

Expressing her discontentment with the election results, Sakshi Malik declared her decision to retire from wrestling during a press conference.

She emphasized the hardships endured, stating, “We slept on the roads for 40 days, and people from various parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh’s business partner and close aide assume the WFI presidency, I quit wrestling,” Malik told reporters during a press conference in Delhi.”We have made demands for a woman president. If the president would be a woman, harassment would not happen. But, there was no participation of women earlier and today you can see the list, not even a single woman was given a position. We had fought with complete strength but this fight will continue. The wrestlers of the new generation have to fight,” Malik added.

Vinesh Phogat in tears

In a poignant moment, fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, along with Malik and Bajrang Punia, addressed reporters. Despite minimal expectations, Phogat expressed hope for justice, lamenting the uncertainty surrounding the future of wrestling.

“It’s saddening that the future of wrestling is in the dark. To whom shall we convey our grief?… We are still fighting,” she said, tears welling up.

Who is Sanjay Singh?

Sanjay Kumar Singh, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and hailing from Varanasi, shares a close bond with Brij Bhushan.

Given the outgoing chief’s profound interest in the sport, it is anticipated that Singh will consult him in policy decisions.

Initially facing reservations from Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, these concerns were brought to the attention of Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in a meeting earlier this month.

Big win for Brij Bhushan camp

The Brij Bhushan camp, led by Singh, triumphed in 13 out of the 15 posts, including a clean sweep of all four Vice President positions.

The elected Vice Presidents are Jai Prakash from Delhi (37 votes), Asit Kumar Saha from West Bengal (42 votes), Kartar Singh from Punjab (44 votes), and N Phoni from Manipur (38 votes).

Wrestlers vs Brij Bhushan Singh

Numerous prominent Indian wrestlers levelled accusations of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan, targeting women wrestlers, including juniors. They successfully garnered substantial support from diverse segments of society.

However, their protest lost momentum on May 28, the day they planned to march towards the new Parliament building. Delhi police intervened and removed all protesters from Jantar Mantar, citing rioting concerns.

The wrestlers officially terminated their protest on June 7 after receiving assurances from Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. He pledged that none of Brij Bhushan’s family members or close associates would be permitted to participate in the WFI election.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: 32-Year-Old Woman Dies By Suicide In Santacruz; Partner Takes Body To Parents’ Home

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Mumbai: A 32-year-old woman, identified as Farhana Khan, allegedly died by suicide after hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her residence in the Davri Nagar locality of Vakola, Santacruz East, on Monday afternoon, police said.

According to officials, following the incident, Khan’s live-in partner did not inform the police or seek medical help. Instead, he transported her body to her parents’ home, as reported by news agency PTI. The Vakola police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details are awaited.

In another tragic incident of suicide in the city, a 34-year-old man was found hanging at his residence in Andheri West on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Manish Thombare, who worked with a private company and lived in Sai Baba Society, Gaondevi Dongari.

According to DN Nagar police, the incident occurred between 11:30 pm. on Sunday and 11:30 am on Monday. Thombare lived with his brother and sister-in-law. He had gone to sleep in an upstairs room, and when he failed to come downstairs the next morning, his brother went to check on him and found him hanging from the ceiling fan with a saree.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later sent to Cooper Hospital in Vile Parle (West) for a post-mortem examination. Preliminary investigations suggest that Thombare was suffering from depression due to family issues. He was married in 2022 but got divorced four months ago. He had no children. An Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

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National News

Supreme Court Cancels Bail Of Chhota Rajan In 2001 Mumbai Hotelier Murder Case

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the bail of mafia don Rajendra S. Nikalje, alias Chhota Rajan, in the 2001 sensational murder of Mumbai hotelier Jaya Shetty.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta allowed the special leave petition (SLP) filed by CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) challenging a Bombay High Court’s order granting bail to Chhota Rajan and suspended his life sentence.

The Justice Nath-led Bench noted the submission of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, who appeared on CBI’s behalf, that Chhota Rajan stood convicted in four other cases and remained absconding for around 27 years.

After a Special MCOCA Court convicted Rajan and others in the sensational murder case and handed him his second life sentence in nearly nine years, Rajan filed an appeal before the Bombay High Court.

In October last year, a Bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj K. Chavan suspended the sentence pending disposal of the criminal appeal and ordered his release on bail. However, Rajan could not avail the benefit of bail as he is already serving a life sentence in New Delhi’s Tihar Central Jail for the 2011 daylight murder of crime journalist Jyotirmoy Dey at Powai.

The Shetty murder case was among the dossier of 71 major offences that were handed over by the CBI to the Indonesian government after Rajan was nabbed in the tourist haven of Bali and subsequently deported to India in November 2015.

Shetty, the owner of the Golden Crown Hotel in south Mumbai, was shot dead by two gunmen on May 4, 2001, with the hit ordered by Rajan, a bitter rival of the absconder terrorist don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, triggering a huge sensation in the hospitality and political circles.

After the long trial, the Special MCOCA Court Special Judge A. M. Patil found Rajan guilty and sentenced him to life in jail, along with the other accused, Rahul Pansare, Ajay Mohite, and Pramod Dhonde.

Shetty had become a victim in an alleged extortion case and had been provided with police security, which was withdrawn a couple of months before he was targeted and killed.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Red Paint Thrown At Meenatai Thackeray’s Statue At Shivaji Park; Raj Thackeray Visits Site, Uddhav Expected Soon

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Mumbai: Political tensions emerged at Dadar’s Shivaji Park on Wednesday after miscreants threw red paint on bust of Meenatai Thackeray’s- Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s wife. The bust is located at the entrance of the park. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) workers reached the spot and removed the paint. The incident took place early morning. By afternoon, Sena UBT workers put garlands on the Meenatai’s bust after cleaning it.

As per locals, there is a security guard always deployed 24/7 at the park and expressed surprise at the incident. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray, who resides in Dadar’s Shivaji Park, went to the site of the desecration after being made aware of the incident and took stock of the situation. As per locals, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will also visit Shivaji Park later in the afternoon.

As per reports, CCTV footage from the area shows a person near the statue around the time of the incident. Investigations are underway to establish the identity of the individual. No formal complaint with the police has been registered so far.

The iconic Shivaji Park ground holds historic importance, socially as well as politically. The park also houses late Balasaheb Thackeray’s memorial next to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue inside the ground.

As per the tradition, the ground will hold Shiv Sena UBT’s Dussehra melave next month.

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