No evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan: Delhi Police
Sources in the Delhi Police said they have not found sufficient evidence until now to arrest Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, reported ANI. They said the investigating officer can't arrest Singh as per the protesting wrestlers' demand because the charges against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act entail less than seven years of imprisonment.
Why does this story matter?
Singh has been accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, including a minor. For nearly four months, the wrestlers have been demanding action against Singh. The Delhi Police, which falls under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre, has been accused of favoring Singh—an MP from the BJP. It booked the wrestlers for rioting on Sunday but took over a week to book Singh in April.
Singh neither influencing witness, nor destroying evidence: Report
The sources said that the Delhi Police will submit its report to the court within 15 days, which could be a chargesheet or a final report of the probe. They said there is no evidence to support the allegations leveled by the wrestlers against Singh, and added that the president of the WFI is neither influencing the witness nor destroying evidence.
Does POCSO, immediate arrest not apply to Singh: Kapil Sibal
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal slammed the BJP, questioning whether the POCSO Act and immediate arrest applied to all accused except Singh since he belongs to the BJP. He added that the BJP government cares only about votes and not the women wrestlers. Earlier, Singh claimed that the POCSO Act was misused against him and he will "force the government to change it."
Will hang myself if proven guilty: Singh
Ayodhya seers to rally in Singh's support
In support of Singh, seers from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, have announced a rally on June 5. They stated that they will also protest against the POCSO Act, arguing it has "many loopholes." Notably, the offenses under the POCSO Act are cognizable and non-bailable, which allows the police to arrest an accused without a warrant, while the sentence ranges from three to five years.
