In SC, Delhi Police Requests Preliminary Enquiry Before Filing FIR Against Wrestling Federation Chief Over Sexual Harassment Complaints

Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that a preliminary enquiry may have to be conducted before filing a first information report (FIR).

This was said in response to a Supreme Court notice issued a day earlier on a petition filed by seven wrestlers seeking action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, president of the Wrestling Federation of India and alleged perpetrator of sexual harassment.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing before the bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, suggested that a preliminary enquiry may be necessary before registering an FIR.

Mehta added, "However, if Your Lordships feel FIR should be registered immediately, there is no difficulty."

The Solicitor General said he was bringing the fact to the notice of the court “so that it may not be felt that despite the notice, we didn’t register immediately."

Kapil Sibal, the wrestlers' advocate, said they would file an additional affidavit due to a subsequent incident.

On Tuesday (25 April), the Supreme Court had said, "There are serious allegations of sexual harassment in the petition, which is instituted by professional international wrestlers who have represented India."

"The matter requires the consideration of this court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution."