SC closes proceedings on women wrestlers' plea against WFI chief
The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday closed the petition filed by three women wrestlers who leveled sexual harassment charges against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. As per the news agency PTI, the move from the SC came after it noted that FIRs were registered against Singh in the issue, and all seven complainants have been provided security.
Why does this story matter?
Last Friday, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP after being pulled up by the country's top court. A total of seven women wrestlers, including a minor girl, filed sexual harassment complaints against the WFI president on April 21; however, an FIR was not filed until a week later.
Security arrangements made for all complainants: Mehta
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, also informed the SC bench that, in accordance with the top court's decision on April 28, the cops conducted an assessment of the complainants' threat perception. Mehta told the bench that security arrangements had been made for the six women wrestlers and the minor complainant.
Approach Magistrate, Delhi HC if there are any issues: SC
Meanwhile, advocate Narender Hooda, appearing for the petitioners, asked the court to supervise the inquiry, citing the Delhi Police's refusal to take action until the SC intervened. The bench, however, dismissed the request and stated, "We are closing the proceedings at this stage...confining ourselves to the prayers." It asked the petitioners to approach the Magistrate or Delhi High Court if there are any issues.
Here's what SC bench said
"You came here with specific prayers for registration of FIR and security for the complainants. Now both of your prayers have been addressed," the SC bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and PS Narasimha said. "If you have any further grievances, you can very well approach the high court or the jurisdictional magistrate," the bench added.
Details on wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar
The wrestlers resumed their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar last month, demanding the arrest of Singh over alleged sexual harassment. They had ended their protest in January after the government assured them that the issue would be probed, and a Wrestling Oversight Committee (WOC) was formed. However, since the committee's findings weren't made public, the wrestlers resumed their protest.
Drunk cops abused, assaulted wrestlers at Jantar Mantar: Report
In a turn of events, the wrestlers agitating at Jantar Mantar claimed that drunk police personnel reportedly assaulted them on Wednesday night when they attempted to bring in folding beds at the protest site for sleeping. Two wrestlers, including the brother of Geeta Phogat, Dushyant, suffered injuries to their heads and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Did we win medals for India for this? asks Phogat
Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat also expressed her thoughts on the matter and said, "Did we win medals for the country to see this day? We did not even have our food." "Does every man have a right to abuse women? These policemen are holding guns; they can kill us," she added.
