A Delhi Court on Friday ordered framing of sexual harassment and other charges against former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case lodged by female wrestlers, observing there was "sufficient evidence" against him.
The Press Trust of India reported that Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot ordered framing of charges against Singh, a multiple-term Lok Sabha MP, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The court will formally frame the charges on May 21.
It also ordered framing of charges against co-accused and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case.
The court, however, discharged Singh in one complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
What did the protesting wrestlers say?
Wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia hailed the decision and thanked the courts, calling back to their months-long protest and subsequent turmoil at Jantar Mantar in the first half of 2023. Sakshi, Bajrang and Vinesh Phogat lead the protest which started in January 2023 in Delhi.
"This is a big victory for the struggle of women wrestlers," Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang wrote on X. "The daughters of the country have had to go through such difficult times, but this decision will provide relief. Those who trolled women wrestlers should also be ashamed."
बृजभूषण पर आरोप तय हो गये हैं. माननीय कोर्ट का धन्यवाद. महिला पहलवानों के संघर्ष की बहुत बड़ी जीत है. देश की बेटियों को इतने कठिन समय से गुजरना पड़ा है, पर यह फ़ैसला राहत देगा. जिन लोगों ने महिला पहलवानों को ट्रोल किया था उनको भी शर्म आनी चाहिए.
���� सत्यमेव जयते �� pic.twitter.com/3IBUKCfzog- Bajrang Punia ���� (@BajrangPunia) May 10, 2024
Rio Olympic bronze medallist Malik had retired after a faction led by Sanjay Singh, an aide of the former WFI President, was elected to head the federation in December last year. She wrote, "...We thank the honorable court. We had to sleep on the streets for many nights in the heat and rain, had to give up on our stable careers, only then have we been able to take a few steps forward in the fight for justice."
What has been case's progress so far?
Last June, Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet in the case against Singh, a six-time MP, 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 Indian Penal Code.
Acting on another complaint, another Delhi court is likely to pronounce its order on May 20 on whether to accept a police report seeking cancellation of a sexual harassment complaint filed by a minor wrestler against Singh. Police had recommended dropping the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case against Singh. The closure report notwithstanding, the court has to take a call on whether to accept it or order further investigation.
Singh, an influential political leader from Uttar Pradesh did not get a BJP ticket from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat, his stronghold, in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him. The BJP has fielded his son Karan Bhushan Singh in his stead.