Delhi Police detains wrestlers, clears protest site at Jantar Mantar

Olympian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat have been taken to three different locations in the city by the Delhi Police after they were detained while trying to march towards the newly-constructed Parliament building in New Delhi. An eerie silence prevailed on Sunday at the protest site in Jantar Mantar where the wrestlers were protesting for more than a month against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment.

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia were detained along with their supporters on Sunday when they tried to march to the new Parliament building as it was being inaugurated, with Delhi Police clearing their protest site at Jantar Mantar and saying they will not be allowed to continue their sit-in. Credit: AFP Photo

The champion wrestlers, who had resumed their agitation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23 demanding his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers, had called for a women's 'Mahapanchayat' for which they did not have permission. Credit: IANS Photo

Wrestlers Sangita Phogat and Vinesh Phogat being detained by Delhi Police during their march towards the new Parliament building, in New Delhi. Credit: IANS Photo

Immediately after the wrestlers were pushed into buses and taken to different locations, the police officers began clearing the protest site by removing cots, mattresses, coolers, fans and the tarpaulin ceiling along with other belongings of the wrestlers. Credit: AFP Photo

Security personnel clear the Wrestlers protest site, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi. Credit: IANS Photo

Wrestler Sakshi Malik being detained by police during wrestlers' protest march towards new Parliament building, in New Delhi. Credit: IANS Photo

An eerie silence prevailed at Jantar Mantar post the detention of protesting wrestlers. Credit: PTI Photo