In a significant development, a Delhi court has granted bail to BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who is also the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India, in a sexual harassment case lodged by female wrestlers. Alongside Singh, co-accused Vinod Tomar was also granted bail by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of Rouse Avenue Courts.
The court has imposed certain conditions on the accused, including a restriction on leaving the country without prior permission. The accused have also been instructed not to engage in any form of threat or inducement towards the complainants or witnesses. ACMM Jaspal stated;
“Please ensure that all the conditions are meticulously followed,”
Earlier this week, Singh and Tomar were granted interim bail for two days while their regular bail pleas were under consideration. The judge noted that the chargesheet was filed without arrest and the accused “have cooperated with the investigation.”
APP Atul Srivastava urged the court to impose conditions while granting bail, expressing concerns that the accused might influence witnesses. Srivastava said;
“He may influence witnesses so this condition may be imposed,”
The court’s order recorded,
“… APP submits that he is neither opposing nor supporting the bail application. His submission is only that the court should deal with the bail application as per law, rules, guidelines, and judgments of the Supreme Court.”
Advocate Harsh Bora, representing the complainant, echoed Srivastava’s sentiments, stating,
“If your honor is inclined to grant bail, strict conditions may be imposed.”
Advocate Rajiv Mohan, representing the accused, assured the court that all conditions would be adhered to. Mohan submitted’
“There was no threat. And if they are apprehending, I am undertaking that no such incident will happen,”
On July 7, the court had taken cognizance of the Delhi Police’s chargesheet and summoned Singh and Tomar to appear before the court. The chargesheet, filed last month, includes sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 354A (sexually colored remarks), 354D (stalking), and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 against the accused.
However, a cancellation report was filed in the POCSO case registered against Singh by a minor wrestler. The BJP lawmaker has been accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, with the alleged incidents said to have occurred between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, Singh’s official residence, and also abroad, according to media reports.
The case is officially titled “State Vs. Brij Bhushan Singh & Anr.“