Wrestlers Protest: Supreme Court dismisses plea against WFI President Brij Bhushan after Delhi Police registers FIR

On May 4, the Supreme Court dismissed the women wrestler’s plea alleging sexual harassment against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The Supreme Court noted that the purpose of the petition has been served as the Delhi Police has registered an FIR against the WFI President.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court said that in case the wrestlers wish for further relief, they can approach the trial court of the High Court. It said, “We have closed the proceedings at this stage. If petitioners wish for something else, they can approach the magistrate or the High Court in its jurisdiction.”

The petitioner’s counsel Senior Advocate Narendra Hooda requested the Supreme Court to monitor the investigation citing the Delhi Police’s conduct and reluctance to register an FIR till the court’s intervention. The counsel argued, “Keeping in view the conduct of the Delhi Police, I request the investigation to be monitored by either this court or a retired judge. Once it is disposed, the Delhi police will drag its feet.”

“We have only said that we are closing the proceedings at this stage, confining ourselves to the prayers. We have not said that this is not worthy of being monitored. You can approach the Magistrate or the Delhi HC if there are any issues,” the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud replied.

Delhi Police’s counsel Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the police had made security arrangements for the minor complainant as per the court’s directions. Furthermore, he submitted that the police had provided security for other complainants even though there is no threat perception. He submitted that the investigation in the case is progressing.

The SG submitted that “Whose statements to be recorded etc, your lordships can leave to the investigative agency. We’re doing our best, neutrally. We’re impartial,” on recording statements of the complainants. He informed that the statement complainant’s statements have been recorded and other statements will be recorded soon. Furthermore, he said, “It is being done well, it is done by a very senior lady officer and her team. Everytime coming to this court with petitions saying do this first and then this- may not be right.” The CJI replied, “We are only concerned with the investigation being done properly.”

Furthermore, the petitioner’s counsel also informed the Supreme Court about the accused naming the complainants on television interviews. He submitted, “So far as accused is concerned, he has become a TV star. Everyday he is giving interviews in TV channels. He is taking names of the complainants; he is naming their Akhadas.” He added, “The accused has said that he has not approached by the police so far. This Court last time said that the identity of the complainants must not be disclosed, but the accused he is taking names.”

However, the Solicitor General and the accused’s counsel Senior Advocate Harish Salve intervened in the petitioner’s counsel’s allegations about the accused’s TV interviews. The SG said that “The complainants are giving TV interviews” and Harish Salve added that “complainants are sitting on protest.”

In the last hearing, the Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that it will register an FIR against the WFI President. Thereafter, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs, one under the POCSO Act on the minor complainant’s allegations and the second one based on complaints from other women wrestlers.