The Delhi Police registered an FIR against Brij Bhushan Singh following the Supreme Court’s intervention in May 2023. After a trial court charged him with sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the modesty of women on May 21, Singh approached the high court last month, asserting that he has been wrongfully accused and has not committed the offenses as alleged by the prosecution.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday(27th Sept) requested a response from the city police regarding a petition filed by former Wrestling Federation of India president, Brij Bhushan Singh, seeking the dismissal of the FIR and charges against him in a sexual harassment case filed by several women wrestlers.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued a notice to the complainant wrestlers and scheduled the next hearing for January 13.
“A status report or reply should be submitted,”
the judge stated.
Singh, also a former BJP MP, was accused of sexual misconduct last year by multiple female wrestlers, who staged a lengthy protest demanding an investigation into the matter.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR against Brij Bhushan Singh following the Supreme Court’s intervention in May 2023. After a trial court charged him with sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the modesty of women on May 21, Singh approached the high court last month, asserting that he has been wrongfully accused and has not committed the offenses as alleged by the prosecution.
On August 29, the high court directed Singh to submit all his arguments. In his plea, Singh argued that the investigation was biased, claiming only the victims’ version whom he alleges were motivated by revenge was considered. He further claimed that the charge sheet was filed without addressing the false nature of the allegations.
Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP, denied a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to allegations of sexual harassment made against him by six women wrestlers. These wrestlers staged a prolonged protest against him last year. In his place, the party decided to field his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, as the candidate. A Delhi court, officially charged Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with sexual harassment of five women wrestlers and also with the crime of outraging the modesty of a woman.
A minor wrestler also accused Singh of sexual harassment. However, she later withdrew her complaint, leading to the Delhi Police filing a cancellation report in that case. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice in cases of sexual harassment, particularly in the world of sports.
Advocate Rajiv Mohan is representing Singh. The petition also argues that the proceedings in the trial court contradict principles of natural justice, as each alleged incident is a “standalone offense” and does not collectively form a single event. Additionally, some allegations involve incidents outside India’s jurisdiction.
Earlier, the police contended in the high court that Singh’s petition was not maintainable. The trial court has also charged co-accused and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar with criminal intimidation. Tomar has similarly challenged the charges and the FIR in the current petition.
