Supreme Court Issues Notice On Women Wrestlers' Plea Alleging Sexual Harassment By WFI President

The Supreme Court today issued notice on the petition moved by top women wrestlers of the country, seeking registration of a FIR against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today. He requested that the identity of the petitioners in the case be protected.

The CJI pointed that normally, a remedy to approach the Police Superintendent is available under Section 156 CrPC. "What are the charges?" he asked.

"These are women wrestlers Milord. They are sitting in dharna. 7 women have complained and one is a minor. The FIRs have not been registered. The law of this court has been violated," Sibal submitted.

The petitioners allege there has been inordinate delay in registering FIR, especially when POCSO charges are pressed against the wrestling body's president. The allegations reportedly date back to 2012. Petitioners have been protesting against such inaction at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

"There are serious allegations at the behest of professional wrestlers concerning sexual harassment. Issue notice returnable on Friday," the Court then ordered.

The CJI further directed that the complaints which were being given in sealed cover shall again be resealed and placed under the petition.

Sibal also claimed that there is a committee report which has not been made public. "Even the police persons can be prosecuted for not registering an offence of this nature...Now there is also an amendment to CrPC, Section 166A which allows the police to also be prosecuted if the case is not registered," Sibal added.

The matter is now posted for May 28.

Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry has sought a response from WFI in terms of the National Sports Development Code, 2011.

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