NEW DELHI: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday alleged that Delhi Police removed the security of women wrestlers who are about to testify against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief 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"Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court," Phogat wrote on X tagging the state and national women commissions along with the Delhi Police.
However, the Delhi Police denied any such removal of the security and claimed that the security officers were called for routine firing and training practices.
Later, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla stated that the security cover was not withdrawn. Instead, it was decided to request the Haryana Police to take over the responsibility in the future, as the protectees normally reside there.
"This is a routine affair in the police. Some security officers have reached back already and some will reach tonight with them," the officer said, adding that the wrestlers are being briefed about the same.
The officer further clarified that the assigned Delhi Police PSOs "misunderstood this decision" and were delayed in reporting today. "The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues," said Mahla.
Notably, the Rouse Avenue Court had in July summoned a survivor and witness to provide evidence in a sexual harassment case against the former WFI chief. The court had sought to advance the criminal proceedings initiated by women wrestlers against Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.
The formal framing of charges against Singh and Tomar took place on May 21, with both denying the allegations and demanding a trial. The court had initially ordered the framing of charges on May 10, following sufficient material evidence against Singh for sexual harassment and outraging modesty of five women wrestlers.
Charges under Sections 354 and 354A of the IPC have been framed against Singh, along with charges under Section 506 (part 1) based on allegations by two women.
Vinod Tomar faces charges under Section 506 (part 1) of the IPC based on one woman's allegations but has been discharged from other allegations.
In the last hearing on August 6, the court recorded the statement of a woman Sub-Inspector who had been actively involved in the investigation, marking a pivotal point in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Sub-Inspector, Rashmi, testified that she had gathered photographic evidence from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Lucknow and Sir Chhotu Ram Stadium in Rohtak, which was provided by one of the victims. Her examination-in-chief was conducted by an Additional Public Prosecutor (APP), under the supervision of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Priyanka Rajpoot.
Adding to the courtroom developments, another key prosecution witness, who is also a victim in the case, could not appear due to medical reasons. The court has scheduled her testimony for August 23.