‘Abuse at the age of 16, video evidence’, what did the lawyer of women wrestlers tell the Supreme Court?
The women wrestlers sitting on a dharna against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, president of the Wrestling Federation of India, have approached the Supreme Court. On the petition of women players, the court issued a notice to the Delhi Police today. The players say that the Delhi Police has neither registered an FIR nor taken any action even after complaining about a serious crime like sexual harassment. The matter will be heard next on Friday, April 28.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal placed the petition filed on behalf of 7 women wrestlers in front of a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha. He said that these women are such, who have won medals for the country. All these have made a serious allegation of sexual exploitation on the President of the Wrestling Association. One of these female players is such that when she was abused, she was only 16 years old. A complaint was given to the Delhi Police on 21 April, but no action was taken.
Supreme Court orders not being followed
Kapil Sibal argued that it is the duty of the police to file a report on a complaint of a serious crime. If this is not done, legal action can be taken against the police officers as well. Sibal said, “The Supreme Court has also said in its old decisions that the police should register an FIR on the complaint of such crime, but it is not being followed.”
Names of players should not be made public – Court
The senior lawyer said that whatever complaint has been given, other evidence including video evidence is available. These have been given to the Supreme Court in sealed envelopes. He requested the court to maintain its confidentiality in view of the sensitivity of the matter. The Chief Justice accepted this request. He said that the complaint given in the sealed envelope should be sealed back. He also said that the names of the petitioner players should not be made public.
Police will answer on April 28
The Chief Justice agreed that these allegations are very serious. At the end of the hearing, while issuing notice to the Delhi Police, he allowed the petitioners to hand over the notice personally to the counsel for the Delhi Government. The court has said about the next hearing on Friday, 28 April. On that day Delhi Police will have to tell what action it has taken so far on the complaint given by the players.
