In a significant development, a Delhi court has directed the framing of charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India and a BJP Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj, in a case involving allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. The court’s decision, based on the presence of substantial evidence, marks a pivotal moment as the trial against Singh can now commence.
The court’s order, issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot, specifies charges under sections 354 (outraging a woman’s modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. The Delhi Police had previously filed a chargesheet encompassing these sections along with an additional charge of stalking (354D) on June 15 of the preceding year.
The charges against Singh relate to accusations by five wrestlers, while he has been discharged from the allegations made by the sixth. The court’s finding of sufficient material to frame charges underscores the gravity of the accusations and sets the stage for legal proceedings against the accused.
Singh, in response to the court’s decision, expressed readiness to face the trial, indicating his compliance with the legal process. This development follows closely on the heels of the BJP’s decision not to field Singh again from Kaiserganj, opting instead to nominate his son Karan Bhushan Singh as the candidate for the constituency.
The case has garnered widespread attention, with Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with Commonwealth Games and Asian Games medallist Vinesh Phogat, leading protests against Singh last year when the allegations surfaced. The court’s order signifies a step forward in the pursuit of justice for the aggrieved parties and reflects the ongoing scrutiny of such serious allegations.
The trial’s next hearing is scheduled for May 21, where further legal proceedings and arguments are expected to unfold. The case remains a focal point in both legal and political realms, highlighting the complexities and sensitivities surrounding allegations of sexual harassment and the pursuit of accountability in such cases.
Sources By Agencies
