Today, 7th May, A Delhi court set to decide on May 10 whether to frame charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Singh. The decision follows legal proceedings regarding alleged wrongdoing during Singh’s tenure. The outcome will determine the course of further legal action against him.
New Delhi: A Delhi court, On May 10, expected to announce its decision on whether to proceed with framing charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and a BJP MP, in a sexual harassment case.
The case filed by six female wrestlers against Singh. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot, who initially set to deliver the verdict on Tuesday, postponed the decision, citing the need for certain corrections in the order.
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Earlier, Singh requested additional time to present further submissions on the charges and to conduct additional investigations, claiming that he was not present in India during one of the alleged incidents where a complainant reported harassment at the WFI office.
Singh’s counsel argued that the Delhi Police relied on call detail records (CDR) of the coach accompanying the complainant, indicating their visit to the WFI on September 7, 2022, when the alleged molestation took place. However, according to Singh’s counsel, the CDR has not been officially submitted as evidence by the police.
The counsel further contended that,
“Singh was out of the country on the date of the alleged offense.”
The Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against Singh, who is a six-time MP, on June 15, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Vinod Tomar, the suspended Assistant Secretary of the WFI, also charged in connection with the case.
Previously, several wrestlers staged a protest over the authorities’ failure to act on the sexual harassment allegations against Singh. They also approached the Supreme Court for the registration of an FIR against Singh. The Supreme Court later informed by the Delhi Police that an FIR registered and the investigation underway.
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.
The court’s decision will have significant implications for the ongoing legal battle and will shape the course of the trial against Singh. As the proceedings continue, it is essential to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and impartiality to ensure a just outcome for all parties involved.