Allegations by female wrestlers against WFI chief serious: SC

NEW DELHI:  Taking a stringent view of Delhi Police’s inaction on a complaint filed by seven women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh alleging sexual harassment, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi Police and others.

“There are serious allegations made in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India in international games about sexual harassment meted out to them. The matter requires consideration by this court,” said a bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha.

The court also directed the identities of the petitioners be redacted and posted the matter for Friday. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the wrestlers, submitted that although the wrestlers have been complaining of sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan, also a BJP MP, the authorities have not taken any steps to register an 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,” he argued. Meanwhile, the complainants got political backing with former Haryana CM and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda as well as functionaries of some ‘khap’ panchayats and farmers’ organisations rallying behind them.

Congress leader Udit Raj and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, too, joined them at Jantar Mantar. The wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia also accused the WFI president of issuing threats and offering bribes. “If just an FIR is lodged, we will not go from here. He has to be put behind bars. If he remains outside, we won’t be safe. How will we train, if he is roaming free?” Vinesh said.

Sealed-cover complaints
The court perused the complaints given in a sealed cover and directed that they be resealed and placed under the petition. It also directed that the identity of the petitioners be redacted