On Tuesday, Brij Bhushan Singh, a Member of MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a former Chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), pleaded his innocence regarding allegations of sexual harassment made by five women wrestlers.
The court, after examining the available evidence, determined that there was enough substance to proceed with charges against Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, under Sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code. These charges pertain to allegations of outraging the modesty of women and sexual harassment. Additionally, the court identified adequate evidence to frame charges against Singh under Section 506 Part 1 of the IPC.
However, the court dismissed the complaint against Singh filed by one of the six women wrestlers due to insufficient evidence supporting her allegations.
“I wouldn’t plead guilty when I haven’t done anything wrong,” Singh explained to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot.
The judge posted the matter for further proceedings on June 1.
Brijbhushan isn’t alone in dealing with these allegations. Vinod Tomar, his co-accused and former assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, also denied the charges against him.
Last month, during proceedings, the judge dismissed Singh’s application, in which he sought further investigation into the case and requested more opportunities to present arguments regarding the framing of charges. Singh had asserted that he was not present in India on the date in question. Presently, both Singh and his co-accused Vinod Tomar are out on bail as the legal process unfolds.
Following sexual harassment allegations, Singh, a prominent Rajput leader hailing from Uttar Pradesh, has been overlooked for a BJP ticket in the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency. Instead, his stronghold seat will be contested by his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, on behalf of the BJP.
Last month, the Delhi Police submitted a chargesheet against them, citing violations of Sections 354 (related to outraging the modesty of a woman), 354A (concerning sexual harassment), 354D (pertaining to stalking), and 506(1) (involving criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Additionally, Tomar was also charged under Section 109 of the IPC for abetment.
The police suggested dropping the case against Singh under the POCSO Act, but they charged him separately for sexual harassment and stalking based on a complaint by six female wrestlers. They also proposed dropping the complaint from the minor wrestler, stating a lack of supporting evidence.
Under the POCSO Act, offenders can face a minimum of three years in prison, depending on the severity of the offense.
