New Delhi:

Olympian Vinesh Phogat has accused the Delhi Police of withdrawing the security cover of the women wrestlers who will be testifying against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh tomorrow. The Delhi Police has denied the charge.

“Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court,” wrote Ms Phogat on X.

Responding to the former wrestler’s tweet, the Delhi Police has clarified that the concerned personal security officers (PSO) reported late to duty after the force requested Haryana Police to take over the security responsibility.

“The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to takeover the responsibility in future since the protectees normally reside there,” said Deputy Commissioner Of Police New Delhi on X, adding, “The assigned Delhi Police PSOs misunderstood this decision and got delayed in reporting today. The situation has been rectified. Security cover continues.”

Meanwhile, the wrestlers approached a Delhi court which directed the city police to immediately reinstate the security cover.

The court was hearing applications filed by senior advocate Rebecca John appearing for the wrestlers, claiming that their security was withdrawn on Wednesday night. It directed police to file a detailed report by Friday regarding the reasons for the withdrawal of the applicants’ security.

Vinesh Phogat, who recently hit headlines over her disqualification from the Paris Olympics, was in the public eye last year for leading a long-running protest against Mr Singh, who was then a BJP MP.

The protesting wrestlers were demanding his resignation and sought the dissolution of the WFI. The WFI denied all allegations against its president.

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

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

Mr Singh is being tried on accusations of sexual exploitation and intimidation, charges he denied.

A Delhi court, in a May 10 order, 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 on Friday.