New Delhi, April 25
Noting that allegations were serious in nature, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi government and others on a seven women wrestlers’ petition seeking registration of an FIR against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notices on the women wrestlers’ petition after senior advocate Kapil Sibal alleged on their behalf that the police have refused to lodge an FIR against Singh despite allegations of sexual harassment, including those by a minor.
The Bench – which also included Justice PS Narasimha – examined the case file and ordered redaction of names of complainant wrestlers from judicial records to ensure that their identities were not made public. It posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.
“There are serious allegations made in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India and sexual harassment meted out to them. The matter requires consideration by this court,” the Bench noted.
It ordered that the complaints which formed a part of an attachment in sealed cover shall again be re-sealed and be paced again together with petition.
The wrestlers, including award-winning ones, have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, seeking registration of an FIR against the WFI President.
The notices were issued after Sibal mentioned the matter for urgent listing as the police were not registering an FIR on the women wrestlers’ complaints.
“These are women wrestlers Milord. There are seven… which includes a minor. There is a committee report which has not been made public. FIR is not being registered. Please see the last complaint by the minor…The young girl had won a gold medal,” Sibal submitted.
