A copy of one of the two FIRs lodged in the sexual harassment complaints made by female wrestlers against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, was handed over to the wrestlers protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday, 29 April, as per multiple reports.
The second FIR, registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, has not been given to the wrestlers as it will be given only to the victim's family, the police was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Details of FIR
One of the FIRs has been registered under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as told to news agency ANI by the wrestlers' lawyer Narendra Hooda.
Section 354 – Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
Section 354A – Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment
Section 354D – Stalking
Section 34 – Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
Background
Five days after the wrestlers started their protest, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs in response to the sexual harassment allegations made by the women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Singh.
Some of India's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist Vinesh Phogat, are protesting at Jantar Mantar, seeking action against Singh for alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.
Regarding the FIRs, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Pranav Tayal had said: "The first one pertains to allegations levelled by a minor victim which is registered under the POCSO Act along with relevant IPC sections concerning outraging of modesty."
"The second FIR is registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints tendered by other, adult complainants under relevant sections pertaining to outraging of modesty etc," he added.
(With inputs from IANS.)
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