Commonwealth Games: Wrestling Federation of India Suspends Referee Virender Malik
Virender Malik had officiated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He was arrested for charges of sexual assault.
The Wrestling Federation of India has suspended international referee Virender Malik, who was arrested by Scotland Police for alleged sexual assault. Malik will be produced in court on Monday. Malik was in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games.
Malik was one of the two Indian officials who shamed India during the Glasgow Games. The other was Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Rajeev Mehta, who was arrested for drunken driving whole returning from a late-night party. Mehta will also be produced in court.
Mehta and Malik were not part of the Indian contingent but went to Glasgow in their respective official capacities. Mehta was an invitee of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and presented medals to winners. Malik had officiated in the wrestling competitions in the Commonwealth Games. (Also read: Sonowal assures stern action if officials found guilty)
A Scotland Police spokeswoman confirmed the arrests of the two Indian officials but refused to divulge any details.
"On August 2, a 49-year-old man was arrested following reports of alleged drunken driving in City Centre of Glasgow. On August 2, a 45-year-old man was arrested following reports of an alleged assault in the west of Glasgow," said the spokeswoman.
According to reports, Mehta was allegedly driving without a licence while returning from a party hosted by Gymnastics Federation of India to celebrate the bronze medal won by Dipa Karmakar. Reports also suggest that he was above the legal alcohol limit. (Who is Rajeev Mehta?)
"At the very outset let me clarify that Virender Malik (wrestling referee) was not travelling as part of the IOA contingent, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on him. As far as the secretary general is concerned, he is yet to be produced in court, so we will have to wait for a day. For the record, both were not staying at the Games Village. Right now the details are rather sketchy and it would be unfair to jump to a conclusion. We will look into the matter only after the law runs its course," IOA president N Ramachandran told the Times of India.
The Indian High Commission in London, in a statement, said they are closely monitoring the case.
"We have learnt about the detention of two members of the Commonwealth games contingent (sic) by the local (Glasgow) police. Our consulate in Edinburgh has deputed an official to Glasgow to keep in close touch with the police authorities to ascertain full factual details of the case. We are also close in touch with the team," the High Commission said in a statement.