From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Even as the Supreme Court began hearing on Friday on the alleged sexual harassment of India’s top wrestlers, represented by high-profile senior advocate Kapil Sibal, seeking a special task force for the case as an FIR offered by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to register against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh would only involve the local police.
The solicitor general told the court that Delhi Police have agreed to register an FIR and that it would be immediately after the hearing. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chanddrachud and Justice P S Narasimha was hearing a petition filed by the women wrestlers, who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here over the past one wweek seeking action against Brij Bhushan Sharan.
Though the SG said that nothing survives in the petition in view of the decision of the Delhi Police, the petitioners’ counsel Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal pressed for directions for safety of the women.
“We’re worried on two grounds- number one, security and safety. Second, there are 40 cases against him. I’ll give you the list”, Sibal said. He handed over a sealed cover regarding the threat perceptions of a minor girl who is an alleged victim of sexual assault.
When the SG attempted to oppose the passing of further directions, the CJI snubbed him: “You should support this. They are girls…..We will record your statement that FIR is being registered. Let the girl be provided security. Instead of disposing it, we will take it after a week on the next Friday.”
SG protested that then it is going in a different direction. “We will not monitor the investigation. We’ll just ask you to come tell us what is being done”, CJI clarified.
“Our direction to provide security to minor girl shall not stand in the way of commissioner making independent threat perception for other complainants for security,” the Bench clarified.
