'FIR Against WFI Chief Can Be Filed At Any Station,' Says Sports Minister After Meeting Protesting Wrestlers

UNION Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said that he heard the protesting wrestlers for 12 hours and formed a committee, adding that a total of 14 meetings were held and everyone was given an opportunity to keep their point.

"We heard wrestlers for 12 hours and formed a committee, we also want an impartial probe, there were 14 meetings that were conducted. Everybody was given an opportunity to keep their point of view in front of an oversight committee. FIR can be registered at any Police Station," Thakur was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

We heard wrestlers for 12 hours & formed a committee, we also want an impartial probe, there were 14 meetings that were conducted. Everybody was given an opportunity to keep their point of view in front of an oversight committee. FIR can be registered at any PS: Union Sports… pic.twitter.com/AjUhhWzX6g

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023

The top Indian wrestlers resumed their protest on April 23, 2023. The protesters including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Poonia, Sangeeta Phogat and Sakshi Malik, are demanding a probe into sexual harassment allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh.

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"The major findings of the committee were impartial elections, till then, an ad-hoc committee must be formed and an internal complaint committee must be formed," the sports minister further added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the wrestlers also held a candle march at Jantar Mantar in the national capital as they continued their protest.

The wrestler said that no FIR had been filed after the wrestlers registered a complaint against the WFI and its chief on Friday.

"We trust Supreme Court that it will give us justice," said Sakshi Malik.

Delhi Police on Wednesday submitted before the Supreme Court that a preliminary inquiry would be needed before lodging an FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. Delhi Police apprised the court that the police felt that there were some issues that needed preliminary inquiry. However, Delhi Police clarified that it has no hesitation to lodge FIR immediately if the court orders.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that the matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday and the bench will look at the entire material. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued notice to Delhi Police on the wrestler's plea seeking an urgent hearing on a petition seeking registration of FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan.

(With inputs from ANI)