NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi government and others on a plea by seven women wrestlers alleging non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, saying these are “serious allegations” requiring its consideration.
The complaint was filed by seven of the country’s top wrestlers, Olympic medallists and multiple world championship medalists, including a minor.
Appearing for the wrestlers, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that though the wrestlers have been complaining of sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan, the authorities have not taken steps to register FIR against him. “Even the police persons can be prosecuted for not registering an offence of this nature. On allegations of sexual assault, no FIRs have been lodged,” Sibal said.
“There are serious allegations made in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India and sexual harassment meted out to them. The matter requires consideration by this court,” the Bench of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha noted.
The Bench posted the plea for further hearing on Friday. The court also directed for redacting the identities of the petitioners.
Meanwhile, several politicians, including former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and ‘khap’ leaders on Tuesday met with the protesting wrestlers and extended their support to them.
Hooda, Udit Raj, another Congress leader, CPI leader Brinda Karat, who was stopped from joining the stir by the wrestlers in January, were welcomed by the wrestlers, a day after they had sought support from all quarters. The Bharat Kisan Union (BKU) representative also joined the wrestlers’ stir.
India’s top wrestlers, led by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, in particular had in January accused Brij Bhushan and WFI coaches for sexually harassing female grapplers.
After meeting with the wrestlers although the Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on January 24 had announced the formation of an oversight committee led by MC Mary Kom, the committee was tasked with overlooking the day-to-day activities of WFI and the allegations against Singh.
But the stir was renewed on Sunday at Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers sat on dharna pursuant to them being unhappy with the committee’s report and Delhi Police’s inaction in filing the FIR.
IOA calls meeting
IOA president PT Usha said they will discuss the matter on April 27 at their executive committee meeting.
“Our scheduled EC meet on April 27 will discuss & provide actionable solutions to the current impasse in WFI. IOA is committed to the betterment of our sportspersons & its sporting ecosystem,” Usha tweeted.
Admitting that they made a mistake by ending their protest three months ago, the wrestlers alleged they were “manipulated” by certain people.
Vinesh said it was a mistake to end the protest the last time around. “We won’t let anyone deceive us,” she said. “All we want is that the police file an FIR and investigate the matter.”
When wrestlers had began their protest in January, former wrestler and now BJP affiliate Babita Phogat had mediated between the aggrieved athletes and the government.
However, wrestlers are not happy with the way Babita, who was part of the government’s oversight panel, conducted herself. “Maybe she loves politics more than wrestling now,” Vinesh said, while taking a dig at her cousin.
