On Tuesday the apex court of India agreed for hearing the plea of country’s top women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who is BJP MP and president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The women wrestlers have alleged him of sexual harassment.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal was representing the petitioners. The seven medal winning wrestlers have been protesting against the apathy shown, at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the petitioners have stated that there has been excessive delay in registration of the FIR against the president of the wrestling body.
In response to their plea the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, remarked that allegations made by the wrestlers who have represented the country are serious and consideration by the supreme court is required.
While mentioning the matter in front of the bench that was headed by the CJI DY Chandrachud senior advocate Kapil Sibal stated that amongst the wrestlers who have lodged the complaint, one is a minor and has also won a gold medal for the country.
Council for the petitioners also requested that the identity of the petitioners in the case should not be disclosed. He also apprised the court of how there is a committee report which has not been made public. Sibal mentioned that police officials can also be prosecuted in regards to not registering an FIR of a crime of such nature, referring to an amendment to CrPC, section 166A which permits the police to be prosecuted if a case is not registered.
The Apex Court ordered that the identity of the petitioners shall not be disclosed and only the redacted part is to be made available for the public. Further the Chief Justice of India directed that the complaints which were sealed, are to be resealed and placed under the petition.
Additionally, there are POCSO charges pressed against the president of the wrestling body and BJP MP, while the Ministry of Sports is seeking answers from WFI in terms of the National Sports Development code 2011.
The matter is listed for Friday 28th May.
NAME- PRANJAL JHA, COLLEGE- AMITY LAW SCHOOL NOIDA, SEMESTER- 2ND
