Two FIRs against wrestling federation chief, growing support for protesting wrestlers
Amid growing support for the protesting wrestlers, the Delhi Police on Friday registered two FIRs against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in connection with the sexual harassment allegations leveled by seven women wrestlers. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for 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 POCSO Act on the allegations of a minor wrestler, while the second related to outraging the modesty.
After Mehta’s plea, the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar termed it as the ‘first step towards victory’. They, however, said that they will continue their protest till the Bharatiya Janata Party MP is removed from all his posts. Wrestlers, who have accused the WFI chief of sexual harassment and intimidation, have been demanding registration of an FIR against him ever 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 strict action should be taken against the guilty. Apart from Chopra, among the sportspersons, boxer Nikhat Zareen, tennis star Sania Mirza, hockey star Rani Rampal, cricketer Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Madan Lal also supported wrestlers. Supported.
Actress Swara Bhaskar tweeted, “Shameful that our top international players have to protest on the streets in the case of sexual harassment but the guilty BJP MP is constantly being protected by the government.” Supreme Court bench FIR against Brij Bhushan Hearing the petition of seven women wrestlers for not being registered. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the wrestlers, filed an affidavit in a sealed cover raising concerns about the safety of a minor girl who is allegedly accused of sexual assault. The bench has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to provide adequate security to the minor girl in this regard.
Without naming anyone, Sibal said there were 14 cases pending against “this person”, including one under section 307 (attempt to murder). Meanwhile, Sakshi Malik told reporters at 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 Delhi Police took six days to register the FIR and she does not trust the probe agency.
Vinesh, a world championship medallist, said, “They (police) may have registered a weak FIR. We will watch, observe and then take a decision (on ending the protest). He (Brij Bhushan) should be behind bars and removed from all current posts, otherwise he will try to influence the investigation. Who criticized the protesters. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the country’s image has been tarnished by ignoring sportspersons and not listening to them.
