| 11 July 2023
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), finds himself entangled in a legal battle as he faces six counts of alleged sexual harassment charges filed by female wrestlers. The Delhi Police chargesheet, dated June 13, states that Singh is "liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences" of stalking and molestation, based on the investigation conducted thus far.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the chargesheet highlighted that one of the six cases lodged against Singh involved repeated and continuing harassment. The Delhi Police invoked various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), in response to these allegations. If convicted, Singh could face a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
The chargesheet draws upon the testimonies of 108 witnesses, including wrestlers, coaches, and referees, out of which 15 individuals supported the allegations made against the BJP MP. This evidence prompted Delhi's Rouse Avenue court to summon Singh on Friday, acknowledging that there was enough substance to proceed with the case. He has been directed to appear before the court on July 18.
Initially, seven wrestlers, including a minor, filed a complaint against Singh's alleged misconduct. However, the minor complainant later withdrew her statement before a district magistrate, introducing a new twist to the already complex case.
The events unfolded in the aftermath of a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, spearheaded by renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, who demanded Singh's arrest. This protest, which commenced on April 23, endured until the police detained the wrestlers for violating law and order by attempting to organize a gathering in front of the new parliament on its inaugural day, May 28. The wrestlers eventually suspended their protest after meeting with Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who assured them that a charge sheet in the case would be filed by June 15.
The allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have sent shockwaves through the wrestling community in India, tarnishing the reputation of an individual who held a significant position within the Wrestling Federation of India. As the legal proceedings move forward, the case has garnered attention as a test of the Indian justice system's ability to address cases of sexual harassment and misconduct, particularly those involving influential individuals.
The forthcoming court appearance of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on July 18 will undoubtedly mark a crucial juncture in this case, as the wrestling community, the victims, and the general public await justice to be served and the truth to prevail.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the available reports and chargesheet at the time of writing. The case is ongoing, and additional developments may emerge as the legal proceedings progress.
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