Today(on 10th May), Delhi court formally charges BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh with sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of women, based on allegations from five women wrestlers.
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DELHI: Today(on 10th May), A Delhi court has formally charged Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with multiple offences including sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of women. The charges are related to allegations made by five women wrestlers against the seasoned politician.
The decision was handed down by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot at the Rouse Avenue Court, which has taken a strong stance against the accused.
The court articulated-
“The available evidence substantiates the framing of charges against Defendant No. 1, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code concerning Victim No. 1, Victim No. 2, Victim No. 3, Victim No. 4, and Victim No. 5.”
Further extending the legal actions against Singh, Judge Rajpoot noted the presence of ample evidence to also frame charges for the offence of criminal intimidation under Section 506(1) of the IPC, particularly concerning two of the wrestlers.
However, the court found the evidence insufficient regarding one of the accusations, stating-
“Regarding Victim No. 6, Defendant No. 1 Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been discharged.”
Additionally, the court addressed charges against co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). He faces accusations of criminal intimidation relating to Victim No 1. Nevertheless, Tomar was exonerated of any abetment charges connected to other accused individuals, as the court clarified-
“He is absolved of the charge of abetment in relation to all the accused.”
The case against Singh has been building over time, supported by accusations from six wrestlers who filed sexual harassment claims against him, leading to a police investigation. On June 15, 2023, the Delhi Police escalated the matter by filing a chargesheet against Singh that encompassed several serious charges including sexually colored remarks and stalking, in addition to the previously mentioned offences.
When the complainants appealed to the Supreme Court to ensure that an FIR was filed against Singh, the Delhi Police later informed the apex court that the investigation was in progress and proceeding as planned.
During these proceedings, a minor wrestler initially accused Singh, but later withdrew her claim. Consequently, the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report regarding her case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
