Wrestlers’ protest: FIR against Brij Bhushan names WFI asst secy too
THE DELHI Police FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh also names his close aide and the federation’s assistant secretary, Vinod Tomar, said police sources.
On Friday, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR pertained to allegations of a minor wrestler and was registered under the POCSO Act, the second, based on the complaints of the women wrestlers, named Singh and Tomar, said sources.
A senior police officer at the Delhi Police headquarters confirmed that the second FIR, registered at the Connaught Place police station, names Singh and Tomar. Both have been booked under IPC Sections 354A (making sexually coloured remarks) and 354D (stalking).
“Since the complainant mentioned Tomar’s name in their complaints, we have booked him and appropriate legal action will be taken,” said the senior officer.
Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, had filed police complaints against Singh alleging sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik address the media at Jantar Mantar on Friday. Prem Nath Pandey
When contacted, Tomar said he wasn’t aware of the FIR. “I am at my home in New Delhi. I have not received any communication regarding this issue from the Delhi Police,” Tomar told The Indian Express.
Another Delhi Police officer said they would seek more details from the complainants in the coming days. “The investigating officer is likely to send a notice to all the victims, asking them to record their statements before the magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC, and further legal action would be taken,” said an officer.
In the FIR, the police have cited all the instances of sexual harassment, which allegedly started in 2012 and continued till 2022, said an officer. “At least on four occasions, the harassment allegedly took place at Brij Bhushan’s MP bungalow at Ashoka Road, New Delhi, which also doubles up as the WFI office,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Saturday also coordinated with the Haryana Police, and decided to offer security to the complainants if needed, said an officer.
