"Will register FIR today": Delhi Police to Supreme Court on plea by female wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

The Delhi Police on Friday told the Supreme Court that it will register a first information report (FIR) by end of the day today in the complaint filed by wrestlers alleging sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta made submission to that effect before a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha. The Court recorded the same in its order."SG Mehta has apprised the court that since allegations implicate the commission of cognizable offence the first respondent has decided to register a FIR," the order noted.It then posted the case for further hearing next week to consider the aspect of threat perception to one of the survivors who is a minor..The wrestlers have been on a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi seeking action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over alleged sexual harassment.The Supreme Court had on April 25 agreed to hear a plea filed by women wrestlers seeking the registration of first information report (FIR) against Singh. The CJI had then remarked that the allegations raised by the wrestlers are serious and require consideration by the apex court.Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta had told the Supreme Court on April 26 that a preliminary inquiry would be required before registering any FIR in the case..When the matter was taken up for hearing on Friday, SG Mehta said that the Police would be registering an FIR and said that the petition should be disposed of since nothing survives. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, said that the probe should be monitored by a retired judge. "Let it be monitored by a retired judge. These are girls who played for the nation here. You should agree with me," Sibal said. He also contended that there is a threat perception to one of the survivors, who is a minor.He also placed an affidavit in a sealed cover on the ground there is apprehending danger to the safety of the minor girl who is alleged victim of sexual assault.The SG, however, said that the modalities of the probe should be left to the Police Commissioner to decide."If FIR is not registered remedy is 156(3). When we saw there is cognizable offence, we said let FIR be registered. We feel something else is playing out here and I cannot say more because this is a sensitive matter," the SG said.The Court after, hearing the parties, recorded the SG's submission that FIR will be registered.As regards the threat perception to the minor girl, the Court asked the direct Delhi police commissioner to make an assessment of the same and file an affidavit before the Court."We direct Delhi police commissioner to make an assessment of threat perception and provide adequate security to the minor girl and affidavit be filed before this court showing security to the minor girl," the order said.The matter will be heard again next week.