Overview

• Punia issued his apology on May 17, 2025, for his May 10, 2023 press remark at Jantar Mantar accusing Dahiya of being a rape accused
• His statement expressed regret for the harm to Dahiya’s reputation and praised the coach’s contributions to Indian wrestling
• Dahiya had filed a defamation case and secured bail in its fourth hearing after being cleared by court of any wrongdoing
• The original dispute arose during a protest led by Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s alleged sexual harassment
• An FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh remains under judicial review and Dahiya’s Shahbad Dairy akhara continues training national-level wrestlers