Case Against Wrestlers For Rioting, Unlawful Assembly After Parliament March

The Delhi Police on Sunday booked the organisers of the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar on charges of rioting and obstructing in discharge of duty after they were detained while marching to the new Parliament building.

Top Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, have been named in the case.

The protesting wrestlers were detained on Sunday after a scuffle with security personnel who tried to stop them from marching to the new Parliament building as it was being inaugurated.

Soon after, the Delhi Police cleared the site of their over-month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and said they will not be allowed to return there.

According to the police, nearly 700 people were detained across New Delhi, including 109 protesters at Jantar Mantar.

While women detainees were released later in the evening, Delhi police said it has filed an FIR against the protest organisers and others under IPC sections related to rioting, assault and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty.

Special Commissioner of Police (law and order) Dependra Pathak claimed the protesters ignored repeated requests and warnings and wrestled with police personnel who tried to stop them. He said an FIR will be filed against the protesters.

"They were out to disturb the preparations made by security agencies," the senior police officer told PTI.

"The detained protesting wrestlers will not be allowed to continue with their dharna at Jantar Mantar.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties slammed the central government over the alleged 'manhandling of wrestlers, who had resumed their agitation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23 demanding his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers including a minor.

The FIR has been filed at the Barakhamba Road police station under the following Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections:

• 147: Punishment for rioting
• 149: Unlawful assembly
• 186: Obstructing a public servant on duty
• 188: Disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant
• 332: Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
• 353: assault to deter public servant from discharge of his duty

Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act: Mischief causing damage to public property.