Preliminary probe needed before registering FIR: Delhi Police to SC on sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief

The Delhi Police on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that a preliminary probe is needed before registering FIR on sexual harassment allegations against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh.

However, the Police also stated, if the court feels FIR has to be lodged straightaway it will be done.

The Supreme Court had directed the Delhi Police to put forth its views on April 28 when plea of women wrestlers will be heard.


"You know Solicitor we also don't do something without hearing the other side and unless we have some material. Please furnish the material which you have on Friday...We took it up as this involves a minor etc," the CJI said.

The law officer said let an impression be not created that the FIR has not been registered despite the court asking for it.

The bench took note of the submissions of Mehta, and said Delhi Police may put forth their views on registration of the FIR on April 24 when the plea of wrestlers will be heard.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the wrestlers, said he would be filing some additional material on the matter.

The top court on Tuesday issued notices to the Delhi Police and others on a plea by the seven women wrestlers, saying the matter is "serious" and requires its consideration.

Several national award winning wrestlers have been protesting at Jantar Mantar here demanding the government make public the findings of an oversight panel that investigated the sexual harassment allegations against Singh, also a BJP MP.

The wrestlers on Tuesday asserted that they won't leave the protest site until Singh is arrested. They had resumed their sit-in protest on Sunday and demanded that the findings of the oversight panel that investigated the allegations be made public. The committee was set up by the Sports ministry in January after the wrestlers held a three-day sit-in.

The top court on Tuesday was initially of the view that the plea may be listed for hearing on Friday. However, after hearing some arguments from Sibal, who mentioned the matter, it decided to take up the case straightaway.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench had said, "There are serious allegations made in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India and sexual harassment meted out to them. The matter requires consideration by this court."

The women wrestlers in their plea contended that despite filing complaints, the Delhi Police has failed to register the FIR.

(With inputs from agencies)