The Supreme Court also directed the Delhi Police to make adequate assessment of the threat perception of a minor girl involved in the case and accordingly provide her security.
Amid wrestlers’ protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the Delhi Police on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it would file an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on the basis of sexual harassment allegations.
Seven women wrestlers have levelled sexual harassment allegations on Singh, also a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Since Sunday, top Indian wrestlers are staging a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the matter. The issue was first raised in January.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, informed the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha of the latest actions regarding the petition filed by the women wrestlers.
Although matters appeared to be resolved there, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for women wrestlers, asked for directions to be passed with regards to the safety of women involved in the matter. To support the plea, he handed over a sealed copy to the bench that contained details about the threats that a minor involved in the case allegedly faced.
Sibal also added that was not the only ground they were worried about. He pointed out that WFI chief Singh had over 40 cases pending against him. To this, Mehta protested and argued that this was going in a different direction now.
Chandrachud intervened when Mehta proposed to oppose the passing of directions, commenting that he —Mehta— should also support this as they are girls.
Chandrachud said, “Mr Solicitor, we will record your statement that an FIR is being registered. Second, we will say that let security be provided to her. Instead of disposing of it, we will take up this matter after a week.”
When Mehta began to speak again, Chandrachud intervened again and assured him that the Court would not monitor the investigation, but would simply ask him to come back and inform the Court about what was being done regarding the case.
The bench then recorded the statement of Mehta regarding the Delhi Police’s decision to file an FIR and Chandrachud called matters to a head, issuing directions to Delhi Police to make adequate assessment of the threat perception the minor girl faced and accordingly provide her security. The bench also clarified that this direction did not stand in the way of Delhi Police Commissioner making an independent threat assessment for the other complainants regarding safety.
Chandrachud told the SG, “Let security be provided. You can apprise the court of the security situation. Let’s see what happens here on. It is an evolving situation.”
Chandrachud announced that the case would be listed for next Friday and closed the hearing.