| 15 June 2023
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, India's influential Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the outgoing wrestling chief, has been charged in court following months of protests by the country's top wrestlers. The wrestlers have accused Singh of sexual harassment, leading to a global outcry and condemnation from various quarters.
The charges against Singh include stalking, harassment, intimidation, and making "sexually coloured remarks." While he vehemently denies these allegations, the police have recommended dropping charges involving a minor, which could have led to his imminent arrest. According to the prosecution lawyer, a detailed investigation found no corroborative evidence in the allegations made by the minor.
The protests by the wrestlers gained international attention, particularly when the police detained Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and two-time world champion Vinesh Phogat. Disturbing footage of the wrestlers being dragged on the streets and taken away in police vans went viral, leading to criticism from top athletes, opposition politicians, and even the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC called for an impartial inquiry into the complaints and condemned the mistreatment of the wrestlers.
The wrestlers had been staging protests since April, demanding action against Singh. However, they agreed to temporarily halt their demonstrations after meetings with Home Minister Amit Shah and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. Thakur assured them that charges would be filed against Singh by 15 June.
A total of seven female wrestlers, including the minor, filed complaints accusing Singh of molesting and groping them during training camps and tournaments. The police invoked the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the case of the minor. Singh, who continues to deny all allegations, has labeled the wrestlers' claims as politically motivated. He recently stated that he would "hang himself even if a single allegation is proved" against him.
On Thursday, Delhi police submitted two sets of documents to separate courts—a comprehensive 1,000-page charge sheet outlining the investigation into the overall allegations, and a shorter one specifically related to the minor complainant. Reports have surfaced that the minor withdrew her allegations, possibly under pressure. Singh refrained from commenting on these reports and insisted that the legal process should take its course.
Legal experts suggest that the judge will now decide whether to accept the recommendation to close the case or proceed with further proceedings. The hearing is scheduled for 4 July. Notably, most of the charges against Singh are bailable offenses, which indicates that he is unlikely to be arrested in the near future.
The wrestlers initially protested in January but called off their demonstration when Singh's administrative powers were revoked by the sports ministry, with assurances that their complaints would be investigated. However, when the government failed to disclose the findings of the oversight panel, the wrestlers resumed their protests in April, also demanding Singh's arrest. Last month, they even threatened to discard their medals into the Ganges, India's holiest river, but were dissuaded by leaders of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), an influential farming group. The BKU pledged nationwide protests if Singh was not arrested.
Critics have accused the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not taking strong and swift action against Singh due to his affiliation with the ruling party. The government, however, refutes these allegations and emphasizes that the legal process will be followed to ensure justice is served.
As the case progresses, the wrestling community and the nation at large eagerly await the court's decision, hoping for a fair resolution that addresses the serious allegations raised by the wrestlers against the outgoing wrestling chief.
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