Delhi Police have filed two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven women wrestlers. The move comes after the wrestlers had been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh. The first FIR pertains to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under POCSO Act, while the second was related to outraging modesty. The protesting wrestlers rejoiced “the first step towards victory” but said they will continue their agitation until Singh is removed from all positions he holds. The country’s top athletes, including Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, boxer Nikhat Zareen, and tennis star Sania Mirza, have all come out in support of the wrestlers.
The apex court bench is hearing a plea filed by seven women wrestlers on the non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Singh. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the wrestlers, placed on record an affidavit in a sealed cover which voiced apprehension about the safety of a minor girl, an alleged victim of sexual assault. The bench directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to make an assessment of the threat perception and provide adequate security to the minor girl involved. It said an affidavit be filed before it on or before May 5, the next date of hearing, about the steps taken for the security of the minor girl.
Sibal said there are seven complainants, including the minor girl, and they all should be given protection. The bench said its direction for providing security to the alleged minor victim shall not stand in the way of the Commissioner of Police making an independent assessment of the threat perception of the other complainants.
The wrestlers have put up huge banners at Jantar Mantar, with one of them listing all the ongoing criminal proceedings against Brij Bhushan. Reacting to the development, wrestler Vinesh Phogat said police might file a “loose FIR” and that Singh should be removed from all the posts he holds, otherwise, he will try to influence the investigation. This is the first step towards victory, but our protest will continue, said Sakshi Malik. Opposition party leaders hit out at Indian Olympics Association (IOA) President PT Usha for criticising the protests, alleging she has become a “political mouthpiece”.