The Allahabad High Court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government’s plea to withdraw the criminal case against Brij Bhushan Singh. Singh had earlier challenged a Gonda court’s decision that rejected the state’s request to withdraw the case. The High Court’s ruling set-aside the lower court’s order, favouring the state’s stance. This decision marks a significant development in the legal proceedings against Singh.
Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court granted relief to BJP leader and former Lok Sabha member Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by allowing the Uttar Pradesh government’s request to withdraw a criminal case against him.
This case was originally filed for holding a public meeting despite a restraint order.
The court’s order stated that the case would be treated as withdrawn and that the application from the public prosecutor, submitted under Section 321 of the former CrPC on November 3, 2020, would be considered approved.
This decision made public on Thursday.
The ruling came from a Lucknow bench led by Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan, who approved Singh’s plea. Singh had previously challenged a Gonda court’s decision that rejected the state’s request to withdraw the case against him.
He had been charged under Section 188 of the IPC along with other sections in 2014, and after an investigation, a charge sheet was filed by the police. Subsequently, the state opted to withdraw the case in 2020.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a well-known politician and former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has faced several legal issues over the years.
Between 1974 and 2007, he was accused in 38 criminal cases, including theft, dacoity, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and criminal intimidation. However, he was cleared of most charges. In 1992, he was arrested for his alleged role in the Babri Masjid demolition but was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 2020. In 1993, he was jailed under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly helping associates of Dawood Ibrahim but was later released.
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In January 2023, famous Indian wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia accused him of sexually harassing female wrestlers while he was WFI president. Protests grew in April 2023 as people felt the government was not taking action.
After the Supreme Court’s involvement, the Delhi Police filed two FIRs against him on April 28, 2023, including one under the POCSO Act for allegations by a minor. However, the minor later withdrew the complaint, and the POCSO charges were dropped.