Court frames sexual harassment charges; Brij Bhushan pleads not guilty
The Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday officially framed charges against Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by female wrestlers. Singh pleaded not guilty to the charges before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot and asked for a trial. "Why will I plead guilty when I am not guilty?" he said in the court.
Chargesheet against Singh under IPC sections
On June 15, 2023, the police filed a chargesheet against Singh for offenses under Sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexually colored remarks), 354D (stalking), and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainants had earlier moved the Supreme Court for the registration of an FIR against Singh. Subsequently, the apex court was informed by the Delhi Police that an FIR was registered and that the investigation was on track.
BJP drops Brij Bhushan from Kaiserganj
A minor wrestler had also levelled allegations against Singh. However, she later withdrew her complaint and the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report in that case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). Notably, the BJP has nominated Karan Bhushan Singh as its candidate for Lok Sabha elections from Kaiserganj, replacing his father, Brij Bhushan. Karan is the president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association.
Court framed charges against Singh earlier this month
The court had on May 10 framed charges of sexual harassment and outraging modesty of women against Singh for harassing five women wrestlers. Judge Rajpoot had said that there is sufficient material on record to frame charges against Singh for the offences under Sections 354 and 354A, and under Section 506(1) of the IPC with respect to two wrestlers. The court also charged co-accused Vinod Tomar—WFI's former assistant secretary—with the offense of criminal intimidation against Victim No 1.
I have proof of my innocence: Singh
Singh later told the media, "Charges have been framed, now Delhi Police have to prove them. I have proof of my innocence. These are false cases." When asked if these allegations cost him a poll ticket, he responded with a smile, "My son has got a ticket." The former WFI chief is accused by Olympians Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshee Malikkh who led a street protest in Delhi last year demanding action against him.
