A Delhi court is set to announce its verdict on April 15 regarding the cancellation of a sexual harassment complaint by a minor wrestler against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former WFI chief. The complaint was deemed unsupported by evidence, particularly after the minor’s father admitted to making a false accusation. Singh still faces other allegations.
Delhi: A court in Delhi is expected to deliver its verdict on April 15 regarding a police report recommending the cancellation of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a minor wrestler against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and ex-BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The decision was delayed as Additional Sessions Judge Gomti Manocha, who was to pronounce the order, was on leave on Thursday. The minor wrestler had earlier informed the court during in-chamber proceedings on August 1, 2023, that she was satisfied with the investigation conducted by the Delhi Police and was not opposed to the closure report submitted.
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On June 15, 2023, Delhi Police filed a closure report, stating that the complaint involving the minor wrestler lacked “corroborative evidence”. The report came after the minor’s father admitted midway through the investigation that he had made a false complaint against Singh as a form of retaliation for a perceived injustice to his daughter.
While the police recommended dropping charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Singh faces separate charges of sexual harassment and stalking based on complaints from six other women wrestlers.
The court will now decide whether to accept the closure report or direct further investigation into the case. Despite the police findings, the court holds the authority to determine the next course of action.
Under the POCSO Act, the charges initially filed against Singh could have resulted in a minimum imprisonment of three years, depending on the sections applied. Singh has consistently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
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