Delhi wrestler, now a decorated coach, held for rape of 17-yr-old kabaddi player

A 17-year-old state level kabaddi player was allegedly raped by a 49-year-old former Delhi wrestler, who is now a coach.

A 49-year-old former Delhi wrestler has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 17-year-old on July 9. Police had registered the case on Monday after the teen approached Delhi police alleging that a man in his forties, had sexually assaulted her at a flat in outer Delhi. The teen is a state level kabaddi player.

Police said the alleged rapist Naresh Dahiya,49, is a decorated wrestling coach who trains wrestlers at a stadium in north-west Delhi. (HT FILE)

Police said the alleged rapist Naresh Dahiya,49, is a decorated wrestling coach who trains wrestlers at a stadium in north-west Delhi. Dahiya had allegedly lured the teen in his car promising to introduce her to other state-level kabaddi players. Dahiya reportedly runs a wrestler’s training centre in Karala, north west Delhi.

The teen, in her complaint on Monday evening, alleged that on July 9, she was on her way to the stadium, when the man met her claiming to be a stadium official and a coach. The man then took her to a flat in Rohini, allegedly served her drinks laced with sedatives and raped her. The girl alleged that she was later dropped near the stadium and warned not to speak to her parents or the police.

For more than a week, she did not lodge an FIR. She told the police she was in trauma and could not approach police before. Police have booked the former wrestler under sections of rape and POCSO (Protection of children from Sexual Offences) Act.