The protesting wrestlers, putting up a brave face after the Supreme Court closed the proceedings on their plea, on Thursday asserted that it was not a setback for them and they will continue their agitation.

The wrestlers said they have all the options open before them and, after consulting their elders, they will decide whether they will move to a lower court or the High Court.

The Supreme Court closed the proceedings relating to the joint petition filed by female wresters seeking criminal prosecution of Wrestling Federation of India chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.

The BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh is accused of sexually harassing multiple women wrestlers. The apex court recorded a formal statement from solicitor general Tushar Mehta that two formal FIRs have already been registered against him on April 28.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, however, refused to consider the plea of senior advocate Narender Hooda appearing for the wrestlers that the investigations by the Delhi police should be monitored by the apex court by appointing a former judge of the top court or any high court.

The bench, which included Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala, while declining to further monitor the investigations gave liberty to the petitioners to move the jurisdictional magistrate for appropriate directions if they are not satisfied with the progress of the investigations.

“Whatever the Supreme Court has done, we will be indebted to them from the bottom of our hearts, because for six days the police didn’t even register an FIR. When the Supreme Court ordered, only then the FIR was registered. We will abide by the Supreme Court’s order,” Vinesh Phogatsaid during a media interaction.

“If something doesn’t materialise soon, we have options. The Supreme Court has also said that we can approach the Delhi High Court, we can go to the magistrate. So, we can go there as well if prompt action is not taken on our demand,” she added.

Asked if they consider Thursday’s order as a setback, Vinesh replied in the negative. “Not at all. We knew what was in the hands of the Supreme Court. Our country is governed by the Constitution and not by protests. Protestscannot force them to change the constitution.”

Additional reporting by PTI