Olympian Vinesh Phogat has alleged that the Delhi Police withdrew the security cover for female wrestlers scheduled to testify against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The Delhi Police, however, have denied these claims and clarified the situation.
Phogat took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her concerns, stating, “Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court.”
In response, the Delhi Police issued a clarification, stating that the issue was due to a delay caused by a misunderstanding. The Delhi Police explained that they had requested Haryana Police to assume responsibility for the wrestlers’ security, as many of them reside in Haryana. The delay was due to the personal security officers (PSOs) not reporting to duty on time. The police assured that the situation was rectified and that security cover for the wrestlers was still in place.
Deputy Commissioner of Police New Delhi addressed the situation on X, stating, “The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to take over the responsibility in the future since the protectees normally reside there. The assigned Delhi Police PSOs misunderstood this decision and got delayed in reporting today. The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues.”
Following the confusion, the wrestlers approached a Delhi court, which instructed the police to immediately reinstate the security cover. The court also requested a detailed report from the police by Friday explaining the reasons for the withdrawal of security.
The court’s intervention came after senior advocate Rebecca John, representing the wrestlers, argued that their security had been removed on Wednesday night. The wrestlers, including Phogat, have been prominent figures due to their involvement in a protest last year demanding the resignation of Brij Bhushan Singh, who was then a BJP MP. The wrestlers had accused Singh of sexual exploitation and intimidation, charges he denies.
The police had earlier filed an FIR and a chargesheet against Singh. A Delhi court has found sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five female wrestlers against the former WFI chief. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday.
Sources By Agencies
