BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
– Photo: Amar Ujala
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Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed charges of sexual harassment, stalking, outraging the dignity of women and criminal intimidation against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case of five female wrestlers. The court said there was enough evidence to prosecute the accused. The court has also framed charges against co-accused Vinod Tomar for the offense of criminal intimidation under section 506 of the IPC. Vinod Tomar is a former assistant secretary of WFI. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajput of Rouse Avenue Court has passed the order.
The court has charged Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, with offenses under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354 (outraging modesty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh was acquitted in relation to the allegations made by the sixth wrestler.
Six wrestlers had made allegations of sexual harassment against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. Based on their complaints, the police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the MP. On 15 June 2023, police charged Singh for offenses under sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexual remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The letter was filed.
The complainants had earlier moved the Supreme Court to lodge an FIR against Singh. After this, Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that FIR has been registered and the investigation is on the right track. A minor wrestler had also made allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh. However, she later withdrew her complaint and Delhi Police filed a closure report in that case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO Act).
Notably, on April 26, the court had rejected an application filed by Brij Bhushan Singh for further investigation in the case. Singh had said that he was not in Delhi when the incident alleged by a wrestler took place.