New Delhi: The Delhi Police Friday registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. On the complaints received from female wrestlers, two FIRs have been registered in Connaught Place police station, a senior police officer said.
The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor which is registered under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty, he said. The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints by adult complainants under relevant IPC sections pertaining to outraging of modesty, the officer said, adding that investigation into both the FIRs was being taken up in right earnest.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police will register an FIR on Friday itself over sexual harassment allegations levelled by seven women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Supreme Court was informed even as top grapplers continued their protest in the national capital.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, told a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that the FIR will be registered today. "We have decided to register an FIR.
It will be registered today," Mehta told the bench, which was hearing a plea filed by seven women wrestlers against non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Singh. The bench also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to make an assessment of the threat perception to the grapplers and provide adequate security to one of them who is a minor.
The girl is an alleged victim of sexual assault. Some of the country's top wrestlers have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since Sunday.In its order, the apex court noted the solicitor general told the bench that since the allegations indicate commission of cognisable offence, the police have decided to register an FIR. It noted senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the wrestlers, placed or record an affidavit in a sealed cover apprehending threat to the safety of the minor girl, an alleged victim of sexual assault.
"Bearing in mind the content which has been placed on record, we direct the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to make an assessment of the threat perception and provide adequate security to the minor girl involved," the bench said. It directed that an affidavit be filed before the apex court on or before May 5, the next date of hearing, about the steps taken for the security of the minor girl.
Sibal told the court there are seven complainants and all of them must be given protection.The bench said its direction for providing security to the alleged minor victim shall not stand in the way of the Commissioner of Police to make independent assessment of the threat perception of the other complainants. On April 26, the Delhi Police had told the top court that some kind of preliminary probe was needed before it can proceed with the registration of an FIR over accusations of sexual harassment. The top court had on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on a plea by the seven women wrestlers, saying the matter is "serious" and requires consideration. (With agency inputs)
