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Delhi Police to register FIR against wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan, SC told
Delhi Police earlier told the Supreme Court that a preliminary inquiry was needed before an FIR against Brij Bhushan could be filed.
The Delhi Police on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it will register an FIR against wrestling body chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh amid the ongoing protests by the top wrestlers of the country. The Delhi Police informed the Apex Court about the FIR as the top court was hearing a petition moved by the top women wrestlers bringing allegations of sexual assault against Brij Bhushan. On April 26, the Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that a preliminary inquiry was needed into the allegations before they could file an FIR against the accused. Read | 'Hurts me to see our athletes on streets': Neeraj Chopra, Kapil Dev demand ‘justice’ for protesting wrestlers
The court then directed the Commissioner of Police to assess threat perception of a minor complainant after petitioners placed material alleging danger to her safety. The Court also left it open for CP, Delhi to assess threat perception against six other wrestlers who made allegations against Singh to the police on April 21. Read | 'Must support...': Mamata Banerjee on wrestlers' protest, aims jab at BJP
"We were worried on two grounds - security and safety and the second is there are 40 cases against him," Kapil Sibal appearing for the petitioner said.
Brij Bhushan Singh has been accused of sexual harassment second time in the last four months. In January this year, the wrestlers sat in a protest which ended after the government promised to look into the allegations against Brij Bhushan. None of the promises was fulfilled, the wrestlers said as they sat at Delhi's Jantar Mantar again in April demanding punishment for Brij Bhushan. Read | 'Abhi kya ho gaya?': Wrestler Vinesh Phogat questions silence of top cricketers
Kaiserganj MP Brij Bhushan Singh however held his ground and denied all the allegations against him. In a video, he said, "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."
Wrstlers' protest: Split between athletes
It's not only government versus the wrestlers in this fight against Brij Bhushan as athlete and Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha on Thursday picked a bone with the protesters and said they should have shown some discipline before taking to the streets. The silence of the cricketers and other sportspersons was also questioned by the protesters after which Kapil Dev, Irfan Pathan and Neeraj Chopra came in support of the protesters.
