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After Supreme Court asked them to file FIR against wrestling federation chief, Delhi Police now register cases under POCSO Act and molestation charges
Delhi Police swung into action, following directions from the Supreme Court, as it registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against all-powerful Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The FIRs are based on the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by seven female wrestlers against Singh.
The first one pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim, which are registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act along with relevant IPC (Indian Penal Code) sections concerning outrage of modesty.
The second FIR is registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by the other six adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outrage of modesty.
The FIRs are registered at Connaught Place Police Station, where the victims filed their complaints six days ago.
A police officer said the investigation into both FIRs is being taken up in earnest.
Earlier, the Delhi Police had informed the court that it would file an FIR and start the probe. But it took around 10 hours to register the FIR against Singh.
The plea was filed by the three international wrestlers – Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia – demanding action against Singh in the Supreme Court on Monday. The Supreme Court had directed Delhi to submit its response by April 28.
Kapil Sibal, who was representing the wrestlers, raised an issue of safety pertaining to the complainant wrestlers. The court then directed the Delhi Police to not only register an FIR but also provide security to the complainant minor wrestler and conduct a security assessment of the other six wrestlers as well.
The next hearing on the case is scheduled for April 17, when the Delhi Police will have to submit a report on the status of the investigations.
The protesting wrestlers, however, categorically said that their protest will continue as they still want action against Singh.
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said, “We wanted action against Brij Bhushan. We are thankful to the apex court for ordering an FIR. But we don’t have faith in the Delhi Police. If the FIR is registered and Bhushan is arrested, then only we will think about calling off our protest.”
Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, said, “We demand Brij Bhushan be removed from all his posts. He should be sent behind bars. Investigations will not be fair till he is holding the posts.”
After their protest in January, the government formed an oversight committee to probe their allegations, but the report has yet to be made public.
Hours before the SC hearing, Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had come out in support of wrestlers, expressing concerns over “what’s happening”.
Chopra, the reigning world champion in javelin throw, said that he was “hurt” to see ace wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia “on the streets demanding justice”.
“They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud. As a nation, we are responsible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not,” tweeted the young athlete, who is also the reigning Olympic champion in the event.
“What’s happening should never happen. This is a sensitive issue that must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Pertaining authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served,” he had said.
The tweet appeared to have opened the doors, as many celebrity sports stars – including cricketers Kapil Dev, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, tennis legend Sania Mirza, hockey star Rani Rampal – too came out in support of the protesting wrestlers.
