WFI Sexual Harassment: SC Closes Proceedings After Noting FIR Registered Against WFI Chief, Security Provided To Complainants

The Supreme Court today (4 May) closed the proceedings before it in a petition filed by the three international women wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by WFI President Brij Bhushan Singh.

The bench comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narsimha and Justice J B Pardiwala decided to close the case after noting that it was filed seeking registration of an FIR against the WFI President over the allegations, and the same has been done by the Delhi Police.

Further, the three-judge bench granted liberty to the petitioners in case of any other grievances, to approach the jurisdictional magistrate or invoke the remedy under Section 482 CrPC before the Delhi High Court.

Senior Advocate Narender Hooda, appearing for the petitioner wrestlers’, pleaded before the bench to monitor the investigation on the consideration that the Delhi Police had taken no action or registered FIR until the intervention of the Supreme Court.

Notably, the seven complainants in the case, which includes a minor, had approached the Delhi Police with the complaint on 21 April, and the FIRs were lodged only after April 28 once the petition had been filed before the Supreme Court.

Two FIRs were registered against Brij Bhushan Singh by the Delhi Police, one under the POCSO Act on allegations of a minor wrestler and the second, based on the complaints of other women wrestlers.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, informed the bench that security arrangements have been made for the minor complainant, as per the Court directions.