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Delhi Court summoned wrestler Bajrang Punia on August 3, Thursday in a criminal defamation case filed by coach Naresh Dahiya. The complaint by Punia alleged that the 2020 Olympics bronze medallist, along with other wrestlers, tried to defame him and destroy his reputation. The incident allegedly happened during a press conference organised on May 10 at Jantar Mantar by Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Sangita Phogat. It was during the famous protest led by wrestlers against the former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
According to Metropolitan Magistrate Yashdeep Chahal, Punia is the prima facie view that all the ingredients of the defamation case were made out. Chahal said, "I am of the prima facie view that all the ingredients of defamation are made out.....In view of the same, let accused, namely, Bajrang Punia be summoned for the commission of offence punishable under Section 499 read with Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code.”
The court has asked Punia to appear before the court on September 6. Not only this, but while issuing the summon, the court noticed that the evidence presented revealed that Punia made a reference to a rape case against Dahiya in Tis Hazari Court. In addition, Dahiya had deposed that a rape case was acquitted against him.
Dahiya runs an akhada in Shahbad Dairy Area of Delhi, and he said that due to the comments made by Punia, at least 20 students have quit his academy. The court said, "It appears that the statement made in the press conference was a result of malicious intent and was not made in good faith."
