The Apex court also ordered the redaction of the names of the seven complainant wrestlers from judicial records to suppress identities in the sexual harassment case.
AMN / WEB DESK
Two days after a group of top Indian wrestlers resumed their protest against the wrestling federation chief’s alleged sexual misconduct, the Supreme Court today issued notice to Delhi Police on the complainants’ request seeking an urgent hearing on the petition seeking registration of a police case against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
The court also ordered the redaction of the names of the seven complainant wrestlers from judicial records to suppress identities in the sexual harassment case, and fixed April 28 as the date for a hearing.
Seven women wrestlers had moved the top court alleging non-registration of FIR on their sexual harassment charge.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha sought a response from the Delhi Police and the government of Delhi on their demand to register FIR noting the “serious” allegations made by the players. The court will take up the matter again on Friday. The submissions were filed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal saying that despite the sexual harassment allegations no FIR has been lodged.
“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,” a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said. The complaints which were being given in sealed cover shall again be resealed and placed under the petition, the court said.
The wrestlers, protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, had yesterday said that they would remain at the protest site till police file an FIR in the case. They claimed the police had refused to file a case even when they submitted their complaint several days ago.
Yesterday, Delhi Police sought a report from the investigation committee set up by the Union Sports Ministry to investigate the allegations and has begun a probe into the fresh complaint by wrestlers.
The elite athletes had called off their protest in January after assurances from the sports ministry, but are back at it as they claim that no action has been taken yet against the WFI chief.
“We will not believe anyone blindly. Last time we were misled. We hope this time there is no politics in this case,” says Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Seven women wrestlers had moved the Supreme Court alleging non-registration of FIR on their sexual harassment charges.
On Sunday, several national award-winning wrestlers, including Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, resumed their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar and demanded the public disclosure of the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the allegations.
The wrestlers on Monday threatened to approach the Supreme Court if an FIR is not lodged against the WFI president.