Vinesh Phogat claims security of wrestlers testifying against Brij Bhushan withdrawn, Delhi Police clarifies

Ace wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat on Thursday said that the Delhi Police had withdrawn security cover for women wrestlers who are set to testify in the sexual harassment case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

“Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court,” wrote Ms Phogat on X.

Responding to the former wrestler’s claim, the Delhi Police clarified that the concerned personal security officers (PSO) reported late to duty after the force requested Haryana Police to take over the security responsibility.

“The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to takeover the responsibility in future since the protectees normally reside there,” said Deputy Commissioner Of Police New Delhi on X, adding, “The assigned Delhi Police PSOs misunderstood this decision and got delayed in reporting today. The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues.”

Meanwhile, the wrestlers approached a Delhi court which directed the city police to immediately reinstate the security cover.

In addition to reinstating security, the court ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to file a detailed report explaining the reasons behind the withdrawal of security from the complainants. This report is to be presented at the next hearing.

Several women wrestlers had accused former WFI chief Brij Bhushan of harassment, a claim that the former BJP MP had denied. In January last year, top grapplers in the country started protesting, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh. The protest went on for several months.

The Delhi Police registered the first FIR in the case in April last year, with the chargesheet being filed in a Delhi court in June last year.

In May this year, the Delhi court said it found sufficient material to frame charges against Brij Bhushan in five of the six cases to proceed with the charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five female wrestlers.

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.

The next hearing in the case is on Friday.