Credit: Twitter
On Thursday, November 9, Bajrang Punia, the Olympic medalist wrestler, was granted bail by a court in Delhi in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by wrestling coach Naresh Dahiya. The 29-year-old has been accused of tarnishing the image of Naresh Dahiya with his statements during the wrestlers’ protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
It was during the wrestlers’ protest when Bajrang Punia talked about how Naresh Dahiya didn’t have any credibility to oppose their agitation against former WFI President, because he is himself facing a rape case. This led to Dahiya going to the court, which summoned Punia for the requisite proceedings.
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The representative of Naresh Dahiya, the advocate Rajesh Kumar Rexwal spoke to PTI after the court proceedings, “Bajrang (Punia) had sought exemption from physical appearance and missed the first three hearings. He appeared physically today and the court has granted him bail. The next date for hearing is March 5.”
It has been reported that Naresh Dahiya contended in the court that he has been acquitted in the rape case. Therefore, the comments from Bajarang Punia have brought him a bad name.
Moreover, Bajrang Punia’s last major professional appearance on a wrestling mat for India saw him return home without a medal from the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China. The wrestling event at the continental games didn’t bring Team India much success overall either.
