Wrestlers complain against WFI chief, no FIR yet; resume protest
What's the story
Seven women wrestlers lodged a complaint in Delhi against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment, reported The Indian Express on Sunday. Though the complaint was filed on Friday, the Delhi Police is yet to register a case. Following the delay, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued a notice demanding an FIR against Singh.
Notice
This is a very serious matter: DCW
In a notice to the Delhi Police, DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, "The accused person has indulged in the crime of sexual harassment against [wrestlers] during his tenure." "This is a very serious matter," she said, asking for a copy of the FIR in the matter, reasons for the alleged delay, action against the accused, and if protection has been provided to the complainants.
Twitter Post
Check out DCW's notice to Delhi Police
Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal issues notice to Delhi Police for reportedly failing to register FIR in the matter of sexual harassment case of women wrestlers. They have complained to the Commission that they have given a written complaint to Delhi Police 2 days… pic.twitter.com/Tq4rZuPtzy
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023
Protest
Protests resumed at Delhi's Jantar Mantar
Reportedly, the seven complainants, including a minor, submitted their complaint at Delhi's Connaught Place Police Station. Meanwhile, on Sunday, top wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat resumed protests at Jantar Mantar, demanding Singh's arrest. Phogat told ANI, "It's been three months, and we haven't got justice. That's why we are protesting again... We are grateful that DCW is supporting us."
Twitter Post
'Going through mental torture,' say wrestlers during protest
#WATCH | "We have been going through mental torture, it's about the respect of women athletes...We aren't receiving any response from Sports Ministry, it's been 3 months": Wrestlers protest against then WFI chief and BJP strongman Brijbhushan Singh pic.twitter.com/44qfs8APbs
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023
Probe
Protests called off in January after government's assurance
Notably, this isn't the first time the wrestlers are protesting against Singh. In January, the wrestlers protested near the Parliament and Jantar Mantar, demanding an inquiry into the allegations leveled against Singh, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP. They called off the dharna following Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur's assurance and formation of the Wrestling Oversight Committee to probe the matter.
Details
Committee's report yet to be made public
The five-member committee, headed by boxer MC Mary Kom, was given a one-month deadline to complete its investigation. However, its findings have not been made public yet even though the report has been submitted, said reports. Earlier this month, Phogat told The Indian Express that the protesting wrestlers were planning to take the legal route as they had "lost faith in the committee."