On Sunday, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against the wrestlers' protest organisers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia. The FIR has been filed under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"A few wrestlers came to Jantar Mantar late at night to protest; they were denied permission and were sent back," Delhi Police stated.
The Delhi Police took action shortly after authorities detained the wrestlers as they marched towards the recently constructed Parliament building.
In response to the FIR, Vinesh Phogat stated that a new history was being created.
While the Delhi Police took a week to file an FIR against Brij Bhushan for sexual harassment, they promptly registered an FIR against us within a few hours for participating in a peaceful protest. Does this indicate a shift towards a dictatorial regime in the country?" Vinesh Phogat expressed on her social media platform that the treatment of players by the government is being closely observed by the entire world, emphasizing that a significant moment in history is unfolding.
During his journey to Parliament, wrestler Bajrang Punia was also apprehended by security personnel.
The protestors referred to the march as a 'peaceful' gathering, asserting their right to participate in street protests. Punia, taking to Twitter, raised concerns about his detention by the police.
Different state Khap panchayats, farmers, and wrestlers who support the cause gathered at Jantar Mantar to stage a protest.
They had announced the organization of a Mahila Samman maha panchayat near the Parliament premises.
In a crackdown on the protesters, the police took action to dismantle the tents at Jantar Mantar and clear the protest site.
A case has been filed against the individuals involved under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 147 (rioting), Section 149 (unlawful assembly), Section 186 (obstructing a public servant from performing their duty), Section 188 (disobedience to a lawful order by a public servant), Section 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty), and Section 353 (criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duty).
Protesters are also facing prosecution under Section 3 of the Public Property Damage Prevention Act.
The wrestlers have been demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The protesters have accused the WFI chief of sexual harassment.
