The petitioner’s counsel objected to closing of the case but the bench refused to entertain the request.
The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the proceedings before it in a petition filed women wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala decided to close the case after noting that the prayer in the plea for registration of first information report (FIR) has been satisfied.
The bench also noted that it had earlier directed that security be provided to complainants, and that the same has also been done by the Delhi Police.
“The purpose of the plea was registration of FIR which is now registered. Apart from registration of FIR this court had passed some other directions to ensure security to complainants. Police has indicated that proper security has been provided to minor complainants and due security has been provided to others. Having regard to the ambit of the case before us, we close the proceedings now,” the Court ordered.
For any other relief the petitioners may move the appropriate jurisdictional magisterial court or the High Court, the bench added.
The petitioner’s counsel, Senior Advocate Narendar Hooda objected to closing of the case but the bench refused to entertain the request.
“I am sure as soon as case is over Delhi police will drag its feet. This should be monitored by a former judge of this court,” Hooda said.
“We have confined ourselves to the prayer and that is served and if you are aggrieved by magistrate court order you can approach Delhi High Court,” CJI Chandrachud responded.
The wrestlers have been on a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi seeking action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The matter reached the top court after the aggrieved women wrestlers filed a plea seeking the registration of first information report (FIR) against Singh.
The Delhi Police had last week told the Supreme Court that it will register a first information report (FIR) in the complaint filed by wrestlers.
Yesterday counsel for the petitioners during mentioning sought to place some documents on record in a sealed cover, and alleged that nothing was being done by the police yet including recording of statements.
The petitioners’ counsel sought to raise certain objections today as regards the manner in which the probe was being carried out.
“Accused has become a TV star… He is naming all the complainants and that they are from akharas. He says he just hugged them and nothing else happened. This is all on record,” he said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Delhi Police said that the investigation is on track and statements are being recorded.
“We have examined complainants. it is being done by a team of senior lady officers. There is something more than what meets the eye,” he said.
He maintained that the probe will be impartial.
“We will seek time from the magistrate under Section 164… chronology of who will depose first let it be left to us. We are neutral and impartial,” he contended.