Wrestling Federation of India on Wednesday revoked its suspension on referee Virender Malik who was previously charged with sexual assault by Scotland police during Commonwealth Games 2014.
“Mr Virender Malik submitted his written explaination of the incident to the WFI and all the members are satisfied that he is innocent. So, WFI has decided to revoke his suspension with immediate effect,” WFI general secretary Raj Singh said.
Malik was one of the two Indian officials who were detained by the Scotland police 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.
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.