Draft | [WFI Sexual Harassment Case]

Background:

Seven wrestlers approached the Supreme Court, seeking the registration of an FIR against Singh, the WFI President, over allegations of sexual harassment. CJI Chandrachud issued a notice to the Government regarding the plea and allowed the complainants to submit additional documents in a sealed cover. The court also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to assess the threat perception concerning an alleged minor girl victim in the case and to arrange necessary security measures accordingly.

The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Singh on June 15, charging him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including assault with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation. Additionally, Tomar faced charges of abetment, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation under the IPC.

In January 2024, the Police requested a Trial Court to frame charges. The police rejected the accused's argument that incidents occurring overseas were ‘outside the jurisdiction of Delhi courts’, as they concluded their arguments on framing charges against Singh.

In February 2024, Singh sought to be discharged from a sexual harassment case on the grounds that there was a significant delay in reporting the alleged incidents, which were claimed to have occurred in 2012 but were only reported to the police in 2023.

On August 24th, the Rouse Avenue Court ruled that the female wrestlers testifying as witnesses in the sexual harassment case against Singh were to be considered 'vulnerable witnesses' and should be treated in accordance with established protocols.

Singh also approached the Delhi High Court seeking to quash the sexual harassment proceedings initiated against him by female wrestlers. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, questioning the challenge to the framing of charges, remarked, "You can't challenge everything. You should have done it before. Once the trial has started, this is nothing but an oblique way of challenging”. The court, however, granted Singh two weeks to prepare a short note outlining all the contentions.