India's top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, have moved the Supreme Court seeking FIR against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.
On Sunday night, the wrestlers were back in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where, three months ago, they had staged a sit-in protest against Singh. They had ended their protest after Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced a five-member oversight committee, headed by boxer M.C. Mary Kom, to look into allegations against Singh.
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As many as seven women wrestlers filed fresh sexual harassment complaints against Singh at the Connaught Place police station in Central Delhi on April 21. Though the Delhi Police claimed it was conducting an inquiry into the issue, the wrestlers said an FIR is yet to be filed.
The wrestlers have sought action on the fresh police complaints, and have also demanded that the government make public the findings of the oversight committee.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has sought a report from the committee. "As part of inquiry, we have sought a report from the probe committee set up by sports ministry to look into the allegations of sexual harassment allegations levelled against WFI chief," a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.
DCW issues notice to Delhi Police
The Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) on Sunday said it has received a complaint from the women wrestlers alleging that they had given a written complaint to the city police two days back, but no FIR had not been registered till now.
The complainant informed the Commission that several women wrestlers, including a minor, had alleged that Singh sexually harassed them during his tenure at the WFI.
She also said that a complaint was filed at the Connaught Place police station on April 21.
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She claimed that no action has been taken by the Station House Officer (SHO), Connaught Place police station on the complaint. She also said that when she called the SHO to enquire about the status of the complaint on April 22, she was informed by him that no FIR had been filed and that action shall be taken on the complaint post Monday.
The complainant also alleged that when she asked him for assurance that the FIR shall be filed by Monday, he answered that he could not guarantee it, according to the DCW.
DCW also noted that they have been informed that some of the complainants and their family members had started getting phone calls from an IPS officer posted in the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) inquiring about the identities of the complainants.
Meanwhile, the panel has issued notice to the Delhi Police in the matter and sought an action taken report by April 25. The Commission has sought a copy of the FIR and asked the police to explain the reasons for delay in registration of FIR.
"The wrestlers who are agitating have won medals for the country in Olympics and CWG. They have hoisted the tricolour abroad. Today, when they are protesting, even their food and water is being stopped. Are their demands wrong?" tweeted DCW chief Swati Maliwal in Hindi.
The panel also sought details of security provided to the complainants along with details of the persons who allegedly shared the information regarding the matter with officials from the Department of Sports.
'Will the report come out after the girls, who have filed complaints, die?'
"How long is it going to take for the (government) committee to submit its report? It has already been three months and we are still waiting to hear from them. Will the report come out after the girls, who have filed complaints, die?" questioned world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat.
"We are tired of asking the government to release the findings... We have nothing to do with the (WFI) election process. We are more concerned about our careers. The (Paris) Olympics are upon us and we want to begin preparations in right earnest," she added.
Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik said, "We will not budge from Jantar Mantar" adding that "this fight will not stop".
Expressing solidarity with the protesters, Sharad Pawar's NCP said ministers Thakur and Smriti Irani should step in to address the concerns raised by the top wrestlers.
"(Youth Affairs And Sports Minister) Anurag Thakur and Smriti Irani must intervene immediately and ask the Delhi Police, which works under the Union home ministry, to take immediate action. If they cannot do this for people who have won laurels for our country, then what can common citizens expect?" NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto asked.