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New Delhi: Amid growing support for protesting wrestlers, the Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in connection with allegations of sexual harassment leveled by seven women wrestlers.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha that the FIR would be registered on Friday. The first FIR was registered under the POSCO Act on the allegations of a minor wrestler while the second is related to defamation. After Mehta’s plea, the wrestlers protesting at the Jantar-Mantar here called it ‘the first step towards victory’.
He, however said that he would continue his protest until the Bharatiya Janata Party MP is removed from all his posts. The wrestlers, who have accused the WFI chief of sexual harassment and intimidation, have been demanding an FIR against him since they resumed their agitation on April 23. The film and sports world and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supported the protesting wrestlers and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra demanded immediate action.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata said that strict action should be taken against the guilty. Apart from Chopra, boxer Nikhat Zareen, tennis star Sania Mirza, hockey star Rani Rampal, cricketer Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Madan Lal also supported the wrestlers. A
Bhinetri Swara Bhaskar tweeted, “Shameful that our top international sportspersons have to protest on the streets in the case of sexual harassment but the government is constantly protecting the guilty BJP MP.” Supreme Court bench FIR against Brijbhushan. It is hearing the petition of seven women wrestlers who were not registered.
On behalf of the wrestlers, senior advocate Kapil Sibal filed an affidavit in a sealed cover expressing concern for the safety of the minor girl accused of sexual harassment. In this regard, the bench has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to provide adequate security to the minor girl. Without naming anyone, Sibal said that 14 cases are pending against ‘this person’, one of which is under Section 307 (attempt to murder).
Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik told reporters at the Jantar-Mantar, “This is the first step towards victory, but our protest will continue.” A big banner has been put up. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said it took six days for the Delhi Police to register an FIR and he did not trust the investigating agency.
World championship medalist Vinesh said, “She (police) can file a weak FIR. We will see, observe and then take a decision (on ending the protest). He (Brajbhushan) should be behind bars and removed from all existing posts, otherwise he will try to influence the investigation.”
Opposition parties meanwhile took a swipe at Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha who had criticized the protesters. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that ignoring the sportspersons and not listening to them has damaged the image of the country.
