The Supreme Court closed the petition filed by the Women wrestlers alleging that the Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (Member of Parliament, Bharatiya Janta Party) has committed sexual harassment with a few Women wrestlers.
The motion by the Supreme Court came after the bench observed that the Delhi Police have registered two F.I.R. against the BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh. The bench also noted that extra security have been provided to the protesting Wrestlers before closing the case.
The bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice J.B. Pardiwala opined that the contention of the Petitioners in the plea for registering F.I.R. against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh is satisfied and the F.I.R. has been registered against the BJP MP before closing the case.
The Supreme Court directed the Petitioners to approach the High Court or a Jurisdictional magistrate if there is any further grievances and granted the liberty for the same to the Petitioners.
The counsel on behalf of Petitioners urged the bench to look into the investigation being conducted by a retired judge or by this Court itself. The counsel for petitioners also mentioned that the Delhi Police will fall behind as soon as the case is disposed of.
The CJI replied to the Petitioner’s contention that we are giving you the liberty to approach High Court or Magistrate and not saying that the case is not worthy to be monitored. He further said that we are closing this case because the prayer in the plea is duly satisfied.
The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing on behalf of the Delhi Police apprised the bench that adequate security has been provided to the women Wrestlers and also to the minor complainant.
The S.G. advanced by saying that the statements of the minor complainant and all three women wrestlers have been recorded for the purpose of the investigation by the Delhi Police. He added that all the three women wrestlers protesting against BJP MP at the Jantar Mantar have been provided with three armed police personnel.
“We’re doing our best, neutrally,” said the S.G. while stating that the bench can leave it upon the investigation agency for recording the statements and from whom to record such statements.
The CJI stated that “We are only concerned with the investigation being done properly“.
The Tussle Between Women Wrestlers and BJP MP
Wrestlers who have been representing India in many international competitions have staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi alleging that the Chief of WFI and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has committed the offence of sexual assault with three women wrestlers and a minor complainant as well.
Subsequently, the wrestlers filed a petition at the Supreme Court stating that the Delhi Police has not taken any action on the complaint filed by them to lodge an F.I.R. against the BJP MP.
Also read: [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/4/why-are-top-indian-wrestlers-protesting-on-the-streets]
The petitioners urged before the Court that no investigation has been made yet in furtherance of the complaint filed by them. The case is now closed by the Supreme Court after noting that an F.I.R. has been lodged against the BJP MP and security has been provided to the Women Wrestlers. However, the Court directed the Petitioners to approach High Court or magistrate if they have any further grievances.
