The Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court on Friday that it was willing to file a FIR on the basis of accusations made by top Indian wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Representing Delhi Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, informed the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that a FIR would be registered by this evening. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal spoke on behalf of the wrestlers, urging the court to also issue directives to provide security to a juvenile girl, who was among the petitioner wrestlers, due to the threat to her. Sibal expressed concern for the little girl’s and other wrestlers’ safety.
The police, according to SG Tushar Mehta, can resolve all of these concerns.
The Supreme Court ordered Delhi police to conduct a sufficient threat assessment and give security to a juvenile gold medalist. The court also ordered Delhi Police to submit an affidavit outlining the efforts taken to protect the little girl. The case has been scheduled for May 5th.
The Supreme Court issued a notice to Delhi Police on Tuesday in response to a wrestlers’ petition demanding the registration of a FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan. The court has taken note of a significant charge contained in the petition filed by wrestlers who had represented India. The court further stated that the petitioners’ identities will be redacted for the purposes of this case.
The Supreme Court’s order came after Sibal and another senior attorney, Narendra Hooda, requested an expedited hearing on the wrestlers’ appeal. Sibal informed the Supreme Court that these are female wrestlers, one of whom is a child. Wrestlers have petitioned the Supreme Court to direct Delhi police to file a FIR against Brij Bhushan as soon as possible.
Wrestlers accused WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation. To oversee WFI operations, the government formed a five-member oversight panel. The oversight committee, led by boxer Mary Kom, was formed to investigate the charges that were levelled against the WFI, its chief Brij Bhushan Singh, as well as other coaches.
Delhi Police, on Monday asked for a report from the inquiry committee formed by the Union Sports Ministry to probe the allegations, and an investigation into the fresh complaint by wrestlers.
Soon after a protest led by some of the country’s best-known wrestlers in January, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of a ‘oversight committee’ to look into allegations raised against the WFI, its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and other coaches.
The committee was entrusted with delivering a report to the ministry on the subject.
Top wrestlers returned to their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital after filing a complaint at the Connaught Place police station on Friday (April 21) alleging that Brij Bhushan Singh, as WFI chief, harassed and exploited seven female wrestlers, including a minor girl.
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has also issued a notice to the Delhi Police for filing a FIR in the case.
Prominent Indian wrestlers with names like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya, and Sakshi Malik launched a sit-in protest in Jantar Mantar in January this year, demanding that Brij Bhushan be expelled from the Wrestling Federation of India’s head office and the Wrestling Federation of India be dissolved.
They alleged the WFI organization and its president of sexual harassment and maltreatment of wrestlers.
