Decision to register FIR against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on complaint of sexual harassment of women wrestlers: Delhi Police tells SC

The Delhi Police on Friday told the Supreme Court that it will register FIR against against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over the complaint of women wrestlers regarding alleged sexual harassment by him.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha about the latest stand of the Delhi Police. The bench was hearing a petition filed by women wrestlers, who have been protesting in Jantar Mantar over past few days, seeking action against Brij Bhushan Sharan.

Though the SG said that nothing survives in the petition in view of the decision of the Delhi Police, the petitioners’ counsel Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal pressed for directions seeking safety of the women.

“We’re worried on two grounds- number one, security and safety. Second, there are 40 cases against him. I’ll give you the list”, Sibal said. He handed over a sealed cover regarding the threat perception of a minor girl who is an alleged victim of sexual assault.

When the SG attempted to oppose the passing of further directions in the petition, CJI told him, “You should support this, they’re girls…”.

“My Solicitor, we’ll record your statement that FIR is being registered. Second we’ll say that let security be provided to her. Instead of disposing it, we’ll take it after a week”, CJI stated.

“Then it is going in a different direction”, SG protested.

“We will not monitor the investigation. We’ll just ask you to come tell us what is being done”, CJI clarified.

The bench recorded the statement of SG regarding the decision of the Delhi Police to register FIR. The bench further directed the Delhi police to make an adequate assessment of threat perception and provide security to minor girl.

“Our direction to provide security to minor girl shall not stand in the way of commissioner making independent threat perception for other complainants for security”, the bench clarified. It is to be noted that the bench has not disposed of the petition and has posted it next Friday.

“Let security be provided, you can apprise the court of security. Let’s see what happens, it’s an evolving situation. List on Friday”, CJI told the SG.

In the last hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had informed the Supreme Court that the authorities intended to conduct a preliminary enquiry in the matter. Appearing for the Delhi Police, the SG had added that if the Top Court directs, they were ready to register the FIR.

Case Title: XYZ And Ors.v. State of NCT of Delhi And Ors. WP(Crl) No. 189/2023