Supreme Court closes case proceedings before it in view of registration of FIR on women wrestlers' complaints

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, May 4

The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the case proceedings before it in view of the registration of an FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on the women wrestlers’ complaints.

The top court said the complainants could approach the jurisdictional magistrate or the Delhi High Court for further relief.

The complainants’ counsel urged the top court to monitor the investigation. But the Bench refused to oblige him, saying, “We have given you liberty to approach the jurisdictional magistrate court or the Delhi High Court.”

Earlier, Brij Bhushan told the Supreme Court that he should be heard by the top court on women wrestlers’ allegations of sexual harassment against him.

On behalf of Singh, senior advocate Harish Salve told a three-judge Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud that it’s not just a matter of Delhi Police registering an FIR against the WFI president.

The CJI asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta if the complainants’ statements had been recorded before a magistrate.

Mehta — who represents Delhi Police — told the Bench that the investigation was on and the complainant wrestlers had been provided with security as directed by the court.

Salve said if further directions are to be issued, the WFI chief should be heard.

Mehta said the complainant had been examined. Two other people would be investigated on Friday, Mehta said.

Women wrestlers’ counsel alleged that their names were being revealed by the accused who is giving TV interviews.

Salve objected to it saying even the complainants are sitting on a dharna and giving interviews.