Supporters of opposition Congress party hold placards during a protest rally against the wrestling federation chief over allegations of sexual harassment in New Delhi, India, Thursday, June 1, 2023. India's top wrestlers have been protesting for more than a month, demanding the resignation and arrest of the president of the wrestling federation for allegedly sexually harassing young athletes. (PHOTO / AP)

NEW DELHI - The talks between the Indian government and the protesting wrestlers, mostly women, over a sexual harassment case were successful, the country's Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday.

A group of wrestlers, including Olympic medalists, staged a protest in New Delhi, demanding the arrest of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The protesters accused Singh of sexual harassment against female wrestlers.

However, they were evicted on May 28 from their location of the demonstration by the Delhi Police.

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After holding talks with the protesters, the minister said the probe into their accusations against Singh would be completed by June 15 and new WFI elections would be held by June 30.

According to Thakur, the female wrestlers insisted that Singh or any of his close aides should be prohibited from running in the upcoming WFI elections

The wrestlers have been asked not to engage in any protests till the probe is concluded by June 15, added the sports minister.

According to Thakur, the female wrestlers insisted that Singh or any of his close aides should be prohibited from running in the upcoming WFI elections.

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"An internal complaints committee of the WFI will be constituted. It will be headed by a woman. All police complaints against wrestlers would be taken back. Wrestlers also requested that Singh, who has completed 3 terms, and his associates should not be re-elected," he added.

The country's ace wrestlers began protesting in January, demanding Singh's arrest.

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An oversight committee was formed to look into the accusations by the protesting wrestlers, who however said the committee findings were never made public. They began their second round of protests in the third week of April.