Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal has written to the Special Commissioner of Police, Women Safety Delhi Police recommending the registration of an FIR against the concerned police officers for failing to register FIR against WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh on the sexual harassment complaint of women wrestlers. Mentioning that one of the complainants is a minor, Maliwal said that the identities of these women are being revealed and they are receiving threatening calls and messages.
“The complainant has informed the Commission that several women wrestlers including a minor have alleged that the President of the Wrestling Federation of India has indulged in the crime of sexual harassment against them. The complainant has informed the Commission that a complaint in this regard was submitted by them at PS Connaught Place on 21.04.2023, however, no action has been taken by Delhi Police on her complaint. The complainant has also intimated the Commission about the threats being received by the survivors and their families after lodging the police complaint,” the letter stated.
It added, “Further, they have alleged that instead of an FIR being filed in the matter, some of the complainants and their family members have started getting phone calls inquiring about the identities of the complainants from an JPS officer posted in Department of Sports, MY AS. In this regard, a notice seeking action taken report has already been sent to DCP, New Delhi.”
Maliwal mentioned one Dronacharya awardee coach and General Secretary of the Haryana Wrestling Association in the letter and said, “Now, the Commission has received a fresh complaint from the women wrestlers (enclosed herewith as Annexure 'C') wherein they have accused two persons, a Dronacharya Awardee coach and General Secretary, Haryana Wrestling Association for allegedly making threatening calls to some of the survivors and their families.”
“In the representation, 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 filing the complaint with Delhi Police. They have raised serious concerns regarding their safety as well,” she further said in the letter.
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Lashing out at the conduct of Delhi police in the matter, Maliwal said, “It is a matter of fact that Delhi Police has failed to register an FIR in the case till date, despite passage of over 5 days. The Police has also failed in ensuring safety and security of the complainants who have been left to fend for themselves in their struggle for justice against an influential person. Further, the way in which the identity of the girls who have complained has allegedly been leaked, and the girls are being threatened and coerced into submission is a matter of serious concern.”
She reminded Delhi police, “The Commission is deeply disturbed by the brazen and illegal act of Delhi Police in failing to register an FIR in the current matter despite serious allegations of sexual harassment by the complainants (who include a minor) against the accused person. The Commission wishes to remind Delhi Police that it is duty bound as per law to urgently register an FIR in the matter and ensure safety of the survivors. ln failing to do so, Delhi Police will appear to be deliberately and intentionally thwarting justice and compromising the safety of the survivors, which shall warrant strong action against the officers of the Delhi Police.”
She mentioned different sections and pointed out the actions that DCW seeks from the police.
“Considering the serious and urgent nature of the case, it is strongly recommended that:
- FIR must be registered immediately in the matter of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Relevant sections of POCSO and IPC should be incorporated.
- The accused person should be immediately arrested and the matter should be properly investigated.
- FIR must be registered immediately in the matter of threatening calls received by the survivors and their families. The accused persons including officers of Delhi Police and Sports Ministry should be suspended and proper investigation should take place.
- The survivors and their families should be provided proper security immediately.
- 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,” she concluded.
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