Security cover for women wrestlers, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinesh Phogat, Security of wrestlers to testify in court, withdrawn? Delhi Police’s response

Vinesh Phogat came into the limelight last year for leading a protest against Brij Bhushan Singh.

New Delhi:

Olympian Vinesh Phogat has accused Delhi Police of cancelling security for the women wrestlers who are scheduled to testify against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh tomorrow. Delhi Police has denied the charges.

“The Delhi Police have withdrawn security from the women wrestlers who will testify against Brij Bhushan in court,” Ms. Phogat wrote on X.

In response to the former wrestler’s tweet, the Delhi Police clarified that the concerned personal security officers (PSO) were late for work after the police requested the Haryana Police to take over the responsibility of security.

“The security of the wrestlers has not been withdrawn; it has been decided to ask Haryana Police to take over the responsibility in future as those protected normally stay there,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police of New Delhi on X, adding, “The assigned PSOs of Delhi Police misunderstood this decision and delayed in reporting today. The situation has been restored. Security will continue.”

Meanwhile, the wrestlers approached a Delhi court, which ordered the city police to immediately restore security.

The court heard the applications of senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the wrestlers, who alleged that their security was withdrawn on Wednesday night. The court directed the police to submit a detailed report by Friday on the reasons for withdrawing the applicants’ security.

Vinesh Phogat, who was recently in the news for her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, came into the limelight last year for leading a prolonged protest against Mr Singh, who was then a BJP MP.

The protesting wrestlers demanded his resignation and called for the dissolution of the WFI. The WFI denied all allegations against its president.

Following the intervention of the Ministry of Sports, all activities of the WFI were suspended and deputy secretary Vinod Tomar was sidelined.

The police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and later a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Singh.

Mr Singh is being tried on charges of sexual exploitation and harassment, which he denies.

A Delhi court in a May 10 order found sufficient evidence to proceed with the sexual harassment and indecent assault charges filed by five women wrestlers against the former WFI chief. The next hearing in the case is on Friday.