'Serious allegations': SC notice on wrestlers' plea to book WFI chief

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Delhi government and others on a petition filed by top Indian wrestlers seeking to register an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal that, despite the sexual harassment allegations, no FIR has been lodged, reports PTI.

"Issue notice. List it (for hearing) on Friday," the bench said, and ordered redaction of names of complainant wrestlers from judicial records with a view to suppress their identities.

The top wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, had said that they would continue to press for a proper investigation into their allegations that the WFI president sexually harassed women athletes.

Several national award-winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the government make public the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Singh.

As many as seven women wrestlers filed fresh sexual harassment complaints against Singh at the Connaught Place police station in Central Delhi on April 21. Though the Delhi Police claimed it was conducting an inquiry into the issue, the wrestlers said an FIR is yet to be filed.