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‘How can govt plead…’: RLD chief cites 2013 SC ruling as wrestlers demand FIR
Wrestlers' protest: RLD chief Jyanat Chaudhary joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.
Citing a 2013 Supreme Court judgment, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Jayant Chaudhary on Thursday asked how the government can plead for a preliminary enquiry before filing an FIR based on the complaint against sexual harassment allegations. Chaudhary was reacting to Union minister Anurag Thakur's remark where he quoted Delhi Police's submission in the Supreme Court that they will conduct a preliminary inquiry before taking the next step.
Read here: PT Usha says protesting wrestlers ‘tarnishing India’s image’. Bajrang Punia responds
Chaudhary tweeted, “Molestation a heinous crime and cognizable offence under CrPC’s 1st Schedule. After the Lalita Kumari vs State of UP (2013) five judge bench judgement, there is no legroom on immediate registration of FIR. How can Government plead for Preliminary enquiry prior to FIR?”
Chaudhary joined the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Thursday.
While speaking to the reporters on Thursday, Thakur said that the government has stood with the players as sports is a priority for us. He said, "If some players are sitting at Jantar Mantar today, who talked to them? I sat with the players and listened to them him for 12 hours. The government formed a committee as we wanted a fair probe".
"On their request, Babita Phogat was also included in the committee. Everyone was given a chance to keep his point. Anyone can get an FIR lodged in any police station. Police said that they will take further action after preliminary investigation. The Modi government has always stood with the players. Sports is a priority for us, with which we will not compromise", he added.
Star wrestlers and Olympic medallists including Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat resumed their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Sunday, three months after they ended their sit-in protest following the formation of a six-member oversight committee headed by Olympic medallist boxer MC Mary Kom, by the government to probe the allegations.
The wrestlers are demanding public disclosure of the findings of the oversight committee. They have also moved Supreme Court seeking FIR against Sharan over the sexual harassment allegations.
The top court termed the allegations as "serious" while issuing a notice to the Delhi Police in the matter.
(With inputs from ANI)
