Murder accused BJP neta Brij Bhushan open to cede Asiad contingent role if law urges

New Delhi: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was appointed Chef de Mission of India's Asiad contingent for the upcoming Asian Games by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), said that if the law does not allow him to hold the position then he is ready to relinquish the role.

The comment came after the IOA's decision was widely criticized owing to a number of criminal charges on Brij Bhushan.

Speaking to ANI, Bhushan said, "I am not convicted in any of the cases so far, I don't care what people say or write, if there is any law which still prevents me from going, then I will not go."

According to media reports, Brij Bhushan, who is also a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj, admitted to have been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 148 (rioting) and 365 (attempt to murder) in his 2014 election affidavit.

He was, reportedly, also named as one of the accused in the 1992 Babri Masjid case.

Defending his selection for the position, Bhushan said that the Babri Masjid case is still pending before the Supreme Court and that the other accused in the case are holding government positions.

"Am I the only one to be blamed?" he asked.

Talking about the murder case against him, the Member of Parliament said that the case was filed by one of his political rivals and he himself refused to testify against him in the court.

The case is still pending and he is not convicted in any of the cases filed against him, Bhushan added.

The president further asserted that he was given the responsibility by the IOA as he has proved himself in the past while also running the academy in a transparent manner.

Meanwhile, Rajkumar Sacheti, who has also been appointed as in charge of India's Asiad squad, is also under investigation for his alleged role in 2010 Commonwealth Games scam.

Asian Games is slated to take place from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.