SC issues notice to Delhi government on plea of 7 women wrestlers

Seven women wrestlers made an urgent mention in the Supreme Court before Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud of their petition seeking registration of FIR for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, on April 25.

The Supreme Court on April 25 issued notices to the Delhi government and others on a plea of seven women wrestlers alleging non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The wrestlers made an urgent mention before Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud of their petition seeking registration of FIR for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against Mr. Singh.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal that despite the sexual harassment allegations no FIR has been lodged.

“Issue notice. List it (for hearing) on April 28,” the bench said and ordered the redaction of names of complainant wrestlers from judicial records with a view to suppress their identities.

The top wrestlers had said they have nothing to do with the WFI polls and would continue to press for a proper investigation into their allegations that Mr. Singh sexually harassed women athletes.

Several national award-winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar demanding the government make public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Singh.

On April 24, the Ministry wrote to the IOA suggesting the postponement of the upcoming elections (scheduled for May 7) and the constitution of an Ad-Hoc committee as an interim arrangement “...to conduct the election to the Executive Committee of the WFI within 45 days of its formation and to manage the affairs of the WFI, including a selection of athletes and making of entries for participation in international events...”. But the wrestlers are not impressed.