SC to hear wrestlers' plea on FIR against WFI chief today

The Supreme Court will be hearing the plea of the wrestlers protesting against the delay in filing of FIR against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Seven women wrestlers had pressed sexual harassment charges against Singh last week.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court will hear the plea of the country's top wrestlers seeking registration of FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Friday. Earlier this week the protesting wrestlers led by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakashi Malik moved a plea to the top court for an urgent hearing to look into their demand for a case into the sexual harassment allegations against the WFI chief that date back to 2012.

Looking into their plea, the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud bench of the Supreme Court had earlier sent a notice to Delhi Police and said that the allegations are 'serious' in nature and demands a proper hearing. The Delhi Police, on the other hand, submitted that it intends to conduct a preliminary probe before filing the FIR.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police said that the police are ready to file the FIR if directed by the court. CJI Chandrachud, in reply, said that the case involves a minor and hence the urgency. "We don't do something unless there is some material. Furnish what you have on Friday. This involves a minor,” the CJI said.

The wrestlers have started their second round of protest in the capital's Jantar Mantar against the delay in registration of FIR by the Delhi Police. They have also demanded the findings of the report by the probe committee into the charges against Singh to be made public. Friday marks the sixth day of their protest.

The grapplers had come up with the sexual harassment accusations in the beginning of the year against Singh. However they were pacified by Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur who said that an independent probe will be conducted into the issue. A committee was subsequently formed under the chairmanship of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha.

On Thursday, however, PT Usha stoked controversy with her statement that the wrestlers staging protest on the streets of Delhi amounts to 'indiscipline' and they are also 'tarnishing' the image of India. Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that he is up for a fight to prove his innocence. In a video message, the BJP MP indicated that he would not accept defeat.