The Delhi Police in the latest news has claimed that based on the “investigation so far” the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court after summoning the BJP MP on Friday has claimed that there is sufficient evidence against Singh for the case to proceed and has been directed to appear before it on 18th July 2023.
What Are The Accusations?
On June 13th the Delhi Police finally filed an almost 1,000 page chargesheet against Brij Bhushan before the Rouse Avenue court.
As per reports, it stated,
“In the FIR registered by the wrestlers, after completion of the investigation, we are filing a chargesheet for the offences under
- sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty),
- 354A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment) and
- 354D (stalking) of the IPC against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
and for offences under sections 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and when no express provision is made for its punishment)/ 354/354A/506 (punishment of criminal intimidation) of the IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the concerned court.”
The main 6 allegations made against Singh and reported by The Indian Express to be in the chargesheet are:
Allegations 1: “I was out for dinner in the hotel restaurant, the accused (Singh) called me to his dinner table… placed his hand on my breast, groped me and then slid his hand down to my stomach… repeatedly for 3-4 times … In the WFI office … he started touching me inappropriately on my palm, knee, thighs, and shoulders without my consent… he put his hand on my breast and slid it down my stomach on the pretext of checking my breathing”.
Allegation 2: “I was lying down on the mat, and the accused to my shock and surprise… without seeking my permission pulled up my T-shirt, placed his hand on my breast, and slid it down my stomach on the pretext of checking my breathing…. At the federation office… I was called into the room of the accused … my brother was asked to stay back…The accused (Singh)… closed the door… pulled me towards himself and tried making forceful physical contact”.
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Allegation 3: “He made me talk to my parents on the phone… the accused (Singh) called me towards his bed… he tried to hug me forcefully without my permission… He tried to bribe me by offering to buy me supplements which I may require as an athlete in exchange for sexual favours”.
Allegation 4: “I was standing in the last row (for team photograph)… the accused (Singh) came and stood alongside me. I suddenly felt a hand on my buttock. When I tried moving away, I was forcibly held by my shoulder.”
Allegation 5: “On the pretext of getting a picture clicked with me, he pulled me towards him by my shoulder… to protect myself, I tried moving away from the accused…” He said “zyada smart bann rahi hai kya…aage koi competition nahi khelne kya tune?” (Acting too smart? I will not let you participate in future competitions?)”
The chargesheet according to reports also claims that in one case Singh’s harassment was “repeated and continuing”.
As per reports, 15 incidents of sexual harassment were listed in the chargesheet where wrestlers accused the WFI chief of inappropriate touching, intimidation, including stalking.
Around 108 witnesses were questioned during the investigation with 15 including wrestlers, coaches, and referees, supporting and backing the claims made by the athletes.
If the courts find Singh guilty then he could be facing a jail term of around 3 to 5 years.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Livemint, The Indian Express, Firstpost
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This post is tagged under: Brij Bhushan chargesheet, delhi police, brij bushan sharan singh, brij bushan sharan singh delhi police, brij bushan sharan singh charges, brij bushan sharan singh indian wrestlers, wrestlers protest, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh wfi, indian Wrestler Protest, Wrestling Federation of india, wfi sexual harassment case
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