SC closes wrestlers' plea against Brij Bhushan in sexual assault case

The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the proceedings in a plea by seven women wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The top court asked the wrestlers to move Delhi High Court or the jurisdictional magistrate for further relief.

A bench Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud decided to close the case after noting that the prayer in the plea for registration of first information report (FIR) has been satisfied.

The bench also noted that it had earlier directed that security be provided to complainants, and that the same has also been done by the Delhi Police.

"The purpose of the plea was registration of FIR which is now registered. Apart from registration of FIR this court had passed some other directions to ensure security to complainants. Police has indicated that
proper security has been provided to minor complainants and due security has been provided to others. Having regard to the ambit of the case before us, we close the proceedings now," Bar and Bench citer court order.

The apex court also refused to entertain an oral plea by the counsel representing the wrestlers that the ongoing probe be monitored by a retired or a serving high court judge.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Delhi Police told the bench that adequate security arrangements have been made for the minor complainant as well as the six other women wrestlers.

Top Indian wreslers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding that the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment charges against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh on allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the BJP MP by seven women wrestlers.

However, the wrestlers have asserted that they would not leave the protest site until Singh is arrested.

with PTI inputs