Wrestlers v/s WFI chief: Delhi Police offers protection to complainants
What's the story
The Delhi Police has provided security to seven women wrestlers—who accused the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment—following the Supreme Court's directions, India Today reported.
Meanwhile, more leaders have come out in support of the grapplers protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, including Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband, businessman Robert Vadra.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The development follows two first information reports (FIRs) against Singh, registered on Friday after seven women wrestlers—reportedly including a minor—filed a complaint against Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
Prominent wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, have been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23, demanding Singh's arrest. However, there has been no major headway in that regard.
Details
Delhi Police to record statements of complainants
According to The Times of India, the Delhi Police has provided security to the seven women wrestlers following the Supreme Court's orders. They earlier claimed the government's probe details about the accusers were leaked.
The victims are also expected to record their statements before the police soon. Allegedly, Singh had sexually exploited women wrestlers not only in India but also abroad during international events.
Support
Vadra, Bhim Army chief extend support to wrestlers
On Sunday, more people joined the wrestlers' protest and expressed solidarity with them at Jantar Mantar.
While Bhim Army chief Azad reached the spot on Sunday to support the wrestlers' demands, Vadra also expressed solidarity with them.
Notably, on Saturday, Vadra Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal met the grapplers and demanded action against the WFI chief.
Twitter Post
Watch: Vadra speaks after meeting protesting wrestlers
VIDEO | "I have come here to support the (protesting) athletes. The entire family is with them. We will help them get the justice," says Robert Vadra after visiting protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/lzlFnL031H
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 30, 2023
Appeal
'Focus on sport': Probe committee member Yogeshwar Dutt to wrestlers
Separately, Olympic medalist and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, a member of the said probe committee, said grapplers now should focus on their sport as the FIR has been lodged against the WFI chief, per ANI.
"Police will take action only when you report it to them. They won't do it if one sits at home. Wrestlers should have done it three months back," he said.
Twitter Post
Watch: Yogeshwar Dutt's appeal to protesting wrestlers
#WATCH | Yogeshwar Dutt, Olympic medallist wrestler & a member of the committee that probed the allegations of sexual harassment of wrestlers says, "...Police will take action only when you report it to them. They won't do it if one sits at home. Wrestlers should have done it 3… pic.twitter.com/oYTjEemkI5
— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2023