Wrestlers Protests: Delhi Police to file FIR, wrestlers to remain at Jantar Mantar

It has been an important day in the wrestlers’ fight against former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Here are the updates in short:

1. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has ordered the Delhi Police to file an FIR on the basis of the complaints lodged by the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar.

2. The Supreme Court has directed the police to ensure the safety of the minor complainant in the case.

3. The Court will convene on May 4 to take stock of the updates in the investigation.

4. The wrestlers have said they will get the FIR done on Friday evening but will stay put at Jantar Mantar as the FIR was not the end goal, justice is.

5. Wrestlers have called for the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his removal from all positions of power.

We all need security. Those who complained also need security. All his (Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s) doors are closing and he can do or get anything done.

Vinesh: I thank players and bollywood stars for tweeting in our support. I still appeal to my fraternity that. I will still appeal that if we want to save Indian sports, we need to separate our games from people like this (BBSS). Through you all (media) I would like to tell them that if India’s future in sports has to be secure, we need to unite. Support on social media is fine and we are grateful. But on the ground, if there are players who can’t speak up or are being stopped from speaking up or if they have not come to a level where their voice can help, please think of standing up for these people. If you don’t step up now, we might not get a chance to come together to save Indian sports again.

Wrestlers have confirmed that they will file the FIR against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh this evening but their fight does not stop at the FIR.

‘Vinesh Phogat: We still don’t have trust in Delhi police. We’ve been here for six days. An FIR should not take so long so we won’t trust them so easily this time. We still demand that he (BBSS) be put behind bars and I appeal to the PM to remove him from all positions of power, whether in parliament or wrestling. Wherever he is, he will misuse his seat. We place our faith completely in the Supreme Court.

1. Will the wrestlers continue to sit in protest?

2. Will a retired judge be asked to oversee the investigation?

3. Will wrestlers, who have been opting out of competitions, return to business as usual?

4. How will the IOA respond?

Stay tuned to the live coverage of the developments from the Wrestlers Protest at Jantar Mantar. The athletes are expected to speak to the media about the Supreme Court order at 4pm today.

The SC has not disposed off the case and will oversee developments in the investigation. The next hearing is expected to be on May 4.

Narendra Hooda, lawyer representing the wrestlers: SC will see what investigation has happened and in which direction and what state it is in over the span of a week. The SC has not disposed the case, they have kept another hearing date. We don’t know why it has taken so much time in a case of such gravity to lodge an FIR. We have not even seen the report the committtee prepared.

SC records Solicitor General’s submission that an FIR will be registered. Takes on record an affidavit placed by senior advocate Kapil Sibal in a sealed cover regarding “apparent danger to the safety of a minor girl who is an alleged victim of sexual harassment”.

SC directs the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a threat assessment and provide adequate security for the minor girl.

The Solicitor General allowed liberty to share the copy of the affidavit in the sealed cover with the Delhi Police Commissioner, who shall maintain utmost confidentiality.

The court makes it clear that the Commissioner is free to conduct a similar threat assessment on the safety of the other six wrestlers and take a call on whether or not provide them security.

The Delhi Police asked to file an affidavit before Friday.

Lists the case for hearing on Friday.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Delhi Police, informs SC that they have decided to register an FIR. It will be registered today

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for the women wrestlers, urge the SC about concerns about their safety and security. Seeks a Special Task Force. Says the person accused by them has 40 cases, including that of murder, against him

CJI says it will record the Delhi Police statement on registration of FIR. Court says it will direct the Delhi Police Commissioner to make a security assessment. SC says it will not dispose off the case as of now [meaning, the SC will monitor the progress of the case]

SG Mehta: This may then go in a different direction. The moment we found there was a cognisable case, we are going ahead with the registration of FIR

Sibal says the alleged incidents have been going on since 2016. A formal complaint was made in January 2023. The Ministry, sports bodies do nothing. What is the responsibility of the organisations whom we work for?

Here is what Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud told the court after listening to Solicitor General Mehta and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal.

SG Mehta has apprised the court that since allegations implicate the commission of cognizable offence the first respondent has decided to register a FIR. Mr Sibal has placed an affidavit in a sealed attachment since there is apprehending danger to the safety of the minor girl who is alleged victim of sexual assault. We direct Delhi police commissioner to make an assessment of threat perception and provide adequate security to the minor girl and affidavit be filed before this court showing security to the minor girl. List on next week

Delhi Police agrees to register FIR against Brij Bhushan Singh in sexual harrasment case by top women wrestlers.

SG Mehta: We have decided to register FIR, we will register it today. Nothing else survives.

As the time for the hearing nears, a number of sportspersons from across disciplines, including Sania Mirza, Irfan Pathan, Rani Rampal, Nikhat Zareen, Virender Sehwag etc have shared their support for the wrestlers.

Narendra Hooda, lawyer for the protesting wrestlers, outlines what the wrestlers are calling on the Supreme Court for and the justice they are seeking.

The plea is listed as item 51 on the Supreme Court’s agenda today and is likely to be taken up post lunch. Sportstar’s Uthra Ganesan and The Hindu’s legal correspondent Krishnadas Rajagopal are keeping close tabs on the developments in New Delhi.

“Friends, the day I will review my life, what I have achieved and what I have lost, and the day I will feel that my capacity to struggle has ended, the day I will feel I am helpless, I am weak, I would not like to live such kind of life and would rather like to embrace death,” Brij Bhushan told PTI.

Coming down heavily on the aggrieved wrestlers, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha on Thursday said the grapplers protesting on the streets amounts to indiscipline and is tarnishing the country’s image.

WRESTLERS’ PROTEST: A TIMELINE:

A Flourish data visualisation by The Hindu Data Team

Check it out here

In January, the Indian wrestlers began the biggest fight of their lives off the mat. For these wrestling champions, the fight against the WFI and its president is more important than their sporting careers.

Their struggle was the story in focus of that issue. Check out the cover story and the background behind the mess the wrestling federation of India finds itself in here.

India’s two individual Olympic gold medallists have thrown their weight behind the protesting wrestlers in Jantar Mantar.

“It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud, “ he posted on Twitter.

Neeraj’s statement came after Abhinav Bindra appealed to the powers that be to do right by the players affected.

Six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan also highlighted the need for structural change to protect athletes.

The Hindu’s legal correspondent Krishnadas Rajagopal says that this plea is set to be heard in the post lunch session of the Supreme Court of India today.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud admitted the allegations were serious. “There are serious allegations contained in the petition at [the] behest of wrestlers who have represented India with regard to sexual harassment. Issue notice, returnable on Friday.” Chandrachud said.

The Supreme Court of India will on Friday hear a plea by top Indian wrestlers including for the registration of an FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over the alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The wrestlers who are currently protesting at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar moved the court after failing to convince Delhi Police to register an FIR on their April 21 complaint in which seven national and international medallists, including a minor, alleged sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP member of parliament from Kaiserganj.