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Synopsis

BJP MP and former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Friday last week sought to be discharged in the sexual harassment case filed against him by women wrestlers.

Singh's counsel claimed delay in reporting the alleged offence and contradiction in the statements of the complainants.

The counsel appearing for Singh also told the court that the incidents were alleged to have taken place in 2012 but were reported to police in 2023.

The submission was made before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot of Rouse Avenue Court during the arguments on whether to frame charges against Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 6, 2024.

Last month, the Delhi Police urged the Court to frame charges against BJP MP and former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers.

The police had opposed the contention of the accused that since some of the alleged incidents took place overseas, they did not fall under the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi, as it concluded arguments on framing charges against Singh.

Notably, in July 2023, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of the Rouse Avenue Court “granted bail” to Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his co-accused Vinod Tomar, the suspended Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Background

The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh 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 IPC.

Tomar was charged with offences under Sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354A, and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Notably, in April, seven wrestlers moved the Supreme Court seeking the registration of an FIR against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. A CJI Chandrachud-led bench issued notice to the NCT of Delhi in the plea. The Apex Court also allowed the petitioners to submit additional documents before it in a "sealed cover" in the case.

The top court then directed the Commissioner of Police (Delhi) to adequately assess threat perception with respect to the alleged minor girl victim in the Wrestling Foundation of India (WFI) sexual harassment case and thereafter make necessary security arrangements.

Case Title: State v. Brij Bhushan Singh & Anr.