WFI Sexual Harassment Case: DCW Demands Registration Of FIR Against Cops For Not Lodging Case

The Commission has accused Delhi Police police of failing to ensure the safety and security of the complainants wrestlers and leaking their identity while terming it as a matter of serious concern.

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) on Wednesday demanded the registration of an FIR against police officers for not lodging a case in connection with the sexual harassment allegations levelled by women wrestlers against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The wrestlers, including a minor, had filed a police complaint on April 21, but no FIR has been registered, the panel said. It has already sought an action taken report from the police in the matter.

The panel said it has received a fresh complaint from women wrestlers accusing two persons - a Dronacharya Awardee coach and General Secretary, Haryana Wrestling Association - of allegedly making threatening calls to some of the survivors and their families.

"The complainant has further alleged that the identities of the complainants have been leaked by Delhi Police as they have been receiving threatening phone calls only following the filing of the complaint with Delhi Police. They have raised serious concerns regarding their safety as well," the panel said.

The Commission accused the police of failing to ensure the safety and security of the complainants and leaking their identity while terming it as a matter of serious concern. "The Commission also wishes to remind Delhi Police about Section 166 A Clause (c) IPC which clearly states, that “in case a public servant fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in relation to cognizable offence punishable under sections 354, section 354B, etc he/ she shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine," the panel said.

5 दिन हो गए पर दिल्ली पुलिस ने #Wrestlers की शिकायत पे FIR नहीं दर्ज की। ये Illegal है। क़ानून की धारा 166 A (C) IPC कहती है अगर पुलिसवाला सेक्सुअल हैरेसमेंट की FIR दर्ज न करे तो उसके ख़िलाफ़ FIR हो सकती है। हमने दोषी पुलिस अफ़सरो पे FIR करने की Recommendation भेजी है।… pic.twitter.com/mUNjvCOcLg — Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) April 26, 2023

The DCW recommended that the survivors and their families should be provided with proper security immediately. "An FIR should be registered under Section 166 A Clause (c) IPC against concerned police officials for failing to register FIR in the matter of sexual harassment with women wrestlers including a minor girl," it said.

In its recommendations to the Special Commissioner of Police, Women Safety, the panel also said that FIR must be registered immediately in the matter of sexual harassment of women wrestlers and asked them to incorporate relevant sections of POCSO and IPC.

The accused person should be immediately arrested and the matter should be properly investigated, it said. An FIR must be registered immediately in the matter of threatening calls received by the survivors and their families, it added.

More Probe Needed: Delhi Police Tells SC

In yet another twist to the plea filed by the agitating wrestlers against BJP MP and WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who faces allegations of sexual harassment, the Delhi Police on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that more probe is needed before a case is filed against the WFI chief. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police, told the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that if the top court felt that an FIR was to be lodged straight away, it may be done. “We, prima facie feel that there was a need to conduct a preliminary investigation before the registration of the FIR,” the top law officer said.

Mehta said let us not create an impression that the FIR has not been registered despite the court asking for it. The bench took note of the submissions of Mehta and said Delhi Police may put forth its views on registration of the FIR on April 24 when the plea of wrestlers will be heard.

SC Notice To Delhi Police

The top court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on a plea by seven women wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR against the WFI president over allegations of sexual harassment, saying the matter is "serious" and requires its consideration. After the wrestlers went public with their allegations against the WFI president in January, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced the formation of an oversight committee, led by star pugilist MC Mary Kom, to probe the claims.

Several national award-winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here demanding the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Singh.