Elite wrestler Vinesh Phogat claimed on Thursday that the Delhi Police had removed the women’s protection cover from them as they prepared to testify against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhuwan Singh in the sexual harassment case.
The wrestlers had gone to a Delhi court to voice their worries over the authorities removing their protection. The court then issued an interim order mandating the prompt reinstatement of one complainant’s security cover until the conclusion of her deposition and until the court issues additional directives.
The court directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to submit a thorough report outlining the rationale for the removal of protection from the complainants in addition to restoring security. The following hearing is where this report is to be delivered.
The Delhi Police, meanwhile, refuted the claim that the female wrestlers’ protective cover was taken off. The Delhi Police described the police call as a “routine practice” and claimed that it was for “firing and training practices.”
“The Police Support Officer (PSO) has reached back already (for security cover detail)…or will reach tonight,” the Delhi Police clarified.
In response to Vinesh Phogat’s tweet, the police said, “There is no order for withdrawal of security. If there is any delay in the security person reaching, that is being enquired. The wrestlers are also being briefed.”
BrijBhushan was accused of harassing a number of female wrestlers; the former BJP MP refuted the accusations. Prominent wrestlers in the nation began staging protests in January of last year, calling for BrijBhushan Singh’s arrest. The demonstration lasted for a few months.
The crime was first reported to the Delhi Police in April of last year, and the chargesheet was submitted to a Delhi court in June of the same year.
The Delhi court declared in May of this year that it had discovered enough evidence in five of the six incidents to bring charges against BrijBhushan.
The court then framed charges against Singh under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment) based on the allegations of five complainants. Additionally, charges were also framed under Section 506 (criminal intimidation) in two separate cases.
