SC To Hear Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Plea Against WFI Chief Today: Key Points

The Supreme Court will today hear the plea of protesting wrestlers over sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh. Here are the top 10 points.

The Supreme Court will hear today the plea by seven wrestlers seeking registration of FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who they accused of sexual harassment. This comes days after the wrestlers renewed their protest in Delhi.  The wrestlers resumed their protest after three months at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Amid fresh protests, the BJP MP released a video saying he would wish to embrace death the day he feels helpless.

Here Are The Top Points:

• Top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat moved the apex court seeking registration of an FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh over sexual harassment allegations, ANI reported. The wrestlers resumed their protest after three months at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Sunday against the WFI chief for allegedly sexually assaulting women wrestlers.


• The Supreme Court noted that there are serious allegations that are contained in the petition by Wrestlers who have represented India, The top court also issued notice to Delhi Police pertaining to the plea filed by seven wrestlers.


• Brij Bhushan Singh on Thursday released a personalised video saying he would wish to embrace death the day he feels helpless. "Friends, the day I introspect on what I gained or lost, and feel that I no longer have the strength to fight; the day I feel helpless, I would wish death as I won't be living a life like that. Instead of living such a life, I would wish that death takes me in its embrace," Brij Bhushan said in the video.


• The wrestlers have demanded that the Centre make public the findings of the five-member oversight committee that investigated the allegations against the WFI chief. The grapplers, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Ravi Dahiya, had started their protest over the issue in January but ended their sit-in after an assurance from Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.


• The Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) on Sunday said it had received a complaint from the women wrestlers alleging that they had given a written complaint to police two days back, but no FIR had not been registered till now. The wrestlers have stressed that they would remain at the protest site till police file an FIR in the case.


• Former Indian athlete and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha criticised the protest by wrestlers and said that instead of going to the streets they could have come to us earlier but they did not come to IOA. She also said It is not good for sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline.


• Wrestlers have expressed disappointment with Usha's comments. "Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other women athletes. We have followed her since childhood and got inspired by her. Where is indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully.." Sakshi Malik told media.


• Bajrang Punia, the Olympic medalist also said, "You feel sad when she says these things because she is the IOA Chief and a woman herself, she cried for her academy in front of the media. She wants us to approach IOA, but we went there three months back, but no justice was given."


• Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday that the allegations levelled by wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its chief are serious in nature and that he will meet the wrestlers once he returns to the national capital and listen to them.


• The protesting wrestlers have also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to their demands. While talking to the media, Sakshi Malik said, "We urge PM Modi to listen to our Mann Ki Baat. Even Smriti Irani ji is not listening to us. We are trying to show them the light through this candle march," as quoted by ANI.