Commonwealth Games: Wrestling Federation of India Reinstates Referee Virender Malik
Charges of sexual assault against referee Virender Malik were dropped due to lack of evidence.
Wrestling Federation of India on Wednesday revoked its suspension on referee Virendra Malik who was previously charged with sexual assault by Scotland police during Commonwealth Games 2014. The referee was eventually let off due to lack of evidence.
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. Subsequently, the charges against both the Indian officials were dropped and the matter did not come up for hearing at the Sheriff's Court, according to an Indian High Commission official. The decision to let off the two officials came as huge relief for the Indian contingent, which had to face a lot of embarrassment on the last day of the 20th Commonwealth Games because of the development.
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.