The Delhi Police is reportedly extending security to the wrestlers protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh after two FIRs were booked against him under sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and section 10 of POCSO Act. Singh, who is also a BJP MP, has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers, and a minor girl.
The wrestlers also include Olympic champions. They alleged they received death threats following their complaint.
"We will be providing security to the wrestlers and will soon record their statements," a senior police official was quoted as saying in an IANS report.
Police will now move to record the statements of the seven complainants. According to the FIRs, the incidents allegedly took place between 2012 and 2022 at different places, including abroad, a source said.
One of the cases, PTI reported, against him was registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code, while the other was registered under sections 10 of POCSO Act.
On Friday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, on her way to Karnataka where she was scheduled to take part in election-related meetings, and demanded the removal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from the post of WFI president.
The Congress general secretary accused the government of "protecting" Singh, who has been involved in several other serious criminal cases according to his election affidavit and is considered a 'Bahubali' (muscle man) from Gonda and nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Later in the evening, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also met the protesting wrestlers and championed their cause saying every Indian who loves the country should stand with them in their struggle.
The wrestlers, who are on a protest now for nearly a week, have been demanding that the findings of a committee formed to probe their allegations be made public and Singh removed from his post pending investigation.
(With PTI inputs)
