Wrestlers Protest
#MeToo against WFI chief: Supreme Court to hear wrestlers' plea on Apr 28
New Delhi/UNI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will hear on Friday the plea of 7 wrestlers seeking registration of FIR against WFI President, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers, including a minor, who have represented India in international sporting events.
The Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, senior law officer representing Delhi Police, today mentioned before the Apex Court that some inquiries are required before an FIR (First Information Report) can be registered into a complaint filed by wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
SG Mehta also clarified that if the top court still feels that an FIR has to be lodged straightaway, it will be done.
The CJI (Chief Justice of India) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud led bench of the apex court, asked the SG to adduce materials on investigation before the court on Friday when the matter is to be heard.
"The police felt there were some issues which needed preliminary inquiry," Mehta said.
To this, the Apex Court said, normally it seeks the other side's view before entertaining similar petitions, but this was different. "You (police) place your stand on affidavit on Friday, we will look into it," the CJI led bench said.
The seven wrestlers through senior lawyer Kapil Sibal said they would also bring additional facts on Friday, when the Apex Court would hear the case.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday issued notice to Delhi police on a petition filed by 7 wrestlers seeking registration of FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers including a minor who have represented India in world sporting events.
The CJI also admitted and noted in its order yesterday that "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 identity of the petitioners shall be redacted. Only the redacted part shall be made available in the public domain. Issue notice to Delhi police, returnable on Friday. Liberty to serve the NCT Delhi," the Supreme Court had said, in its order yesterday.
The plea was mentioned in the Supreme Court yesterday by top Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik seeking a FIR against WFI President, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the petition yesterday filed jointly by seven wrestlers for registration of an FIR against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He pointed out the wrestlers have been sitting on a protest
"Even on allegations of sexual assault, no FIRs have been lodged. The young girl was 16 at the time, had won a gold medal," Sibal had pleaded to the apex Court.
Sibal went on to argue that even the police can be prosecuted for not registering an offence of this nature.
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