Wrestlers' Harassment Row: Women's Panel Chief Issues Notice To Delhi Police Over 'Failure To File FIR'

Swati Maliwal, chief of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), issued a notice to the Delhi Police today for allegedly failing to file an FIR in a sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal issued a notice to Delhi Police on Sunday (April 23) for allegedly failing to register an FIR in a sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. According to the notice, the wrestlers have informed the Commission that they filed a written complaint with Delhi Police two days ago, but their FIR has yet to be registered. 

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat had earlier criticised Delhi Police for refusing to file an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan. Players like Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik accused the president of sexual harassment in January. The wrestlers then staged a protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The wrestlers have staged another protest at the exact location. 

In response to the DCW notice, Delhi Police stated: "Seven complaints have been received so far, some from Delhi and some from elsewhere. All of the complaints are being investigated. After concrete evidence is discovered, an FIR will be filed."

Wrestlers' Reaction To DCW Notice:

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat responded to DCW's notice to Delhi Police for failing to register an FIR in a sexual harassment case involving female wrestlers, saying, "It's been three months, and we haven't got justice, that's why we are protesting again. We demand justice, FIR has not been registered yet. We are grateful that DCW is supporting us."

Vinesh Phogat, a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games (CWG), claimed that the WFI president had been harassing female wrestlers for years. As a result, the government established a committee led by Yogeshwar Dutt and Mary Kom to thoroughly investigate the matter. Later, the WFI president was asked to resign while the investigation was still underway.

Wrestlers staged a protest against then-WFI chief and BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Singh, claiming that "seven girls, including a minor, filed a complaint at CP PS against Brijbhushan Singh regarding sexual harassment, but the complaint has yet to be filed. There has to be a POCSO case. We've been waiting for two and a half months..."