Wrestlers’ plea against WFI’s Brij Bhushan to be heard by Supreme Court today. 10 points

The Supreme Court on Friday will consider the plea of the country’s top wrestlers alleging sexual misconduct against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on a plea by seven women wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR against Singh over allegations of sexual harassment, saying the matter is “serious” and requires its consideration.

Top 10 points on wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar:

1. Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are the three central characters in the renewed protests against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by the grapplers.

2. The wrestlers that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is now resorting to strong-arm tactics by issuing threats and offering bribes to the “victims”.

3. As more political leaders including former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and functionaries of some ‘khap’ panchayats and farmers’ organisations rallied behind the country’s top wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar here, the petition contended that despite filing complaints the Delhi Police has failed to register the FIR.

4. On Tuesday, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice to Delhi Police asking it to file a reply to the wrestlers’ plea and listed the matter on Friday. The court noted that there is a serious allegation that is contained in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India. The complaints which were being given in sealed cover shall again be resealed and placed under the petition, the court said.

5. The wrestlers asserted that they won’t leave the protest site until Brij Bhushan, who is also a BJP MP, is arrested.

6. They had resumed their sit-in protest on Sunday and demanded that the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the allegations be made public. The oversight committee was set up by the sports ministry in January after the wrestlers held a three-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar.

7. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha said the grapplers lacked discipline as they hit the streets to resume their protest instead of approaching them.

8. Sports minister Anurag Thakur said the government gave chances to all the protesting wrestlers to present their case before the oversight committee, and reiterated its commitment to an “impartial probe” into the charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

10. Brij Bhushan Singh, also a BJP MP, released a video saying he would wish to embrace death the day he feels helpless. “Friends, the day I introspect on what I gained or lost, and feel that I no longer have the strength to fight; the day I feel helpless, I would wish death as I won’t be living a life like that. Instead of living such a life, I would wish that death takes me in its embrace,” Brij Bhushan said.