Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh has been summoned by the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi. He is accused of sexually harassing several women wrestlers. The court believes there is enough evidence to proceed with the case. The court has asked Brij Bhushan Singh to appear on July 18.
The court reviewed the police report and statements from the victims, and found that the allegations were specific and indicated offenses under the Indian Penal Code. After considering all the evidence, the court decided to move forward with the case.
A charge sheet was filed on June 15 against Brij Bhushan Singh under sections 354, 354D, and 345A of the IPC for stalking and sexual harassment.
This action came after protests by prominent wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat. They protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for 38 days, demanding Brij Bhushan Singh ‘s arrest. However, they were detained by the police on May 28 for violating the law. The wrestlers ended their protest after meeting with sports minister Anurag Thakur, who assured them that the charge sheet would be filed by June 15.
In addition to Brij Bhushan Singh ‘Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of WFI, has also been summoned by the court. He is charged with abetment of offense, criminal intimidation, and other offenses under the IPC.
One of the women wrestlers who accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment is a minor, and a case was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, the complainant later withdrew her statement, and the Delhi Police requested the court to cancel the case. The police report included statements from the minor wrestler, her father, Singh, and other witnesses. A cancellation report is filed when there is no corroborative evidence. The court will hear the matter again on August 4.
