Former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has asked for discharge in a sexual harassment case on grounds of delay in reporting the alleged offence and contradiction in the statements of the complainants.
The Counsel appearing for Singh on Friday argued that the incidents, which were said to have occurred in 2012, were only reported to the police in 2023.
The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot was hearing arguments on whether charges should be framed against Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, former assistant secretary of WFI, in the sexual harrasment case filed by women wrestlers.
The Counsel argued that there was a long delay in reporting the alleged offences, which reportedly took place in 2012, but were reported to the police in 2023, adding that the alleged incidents took place at different time and places.
He said there was no link between the incidents. Besides, there were contradictions in the affidavit and the statement of complainants.
The Delhi Police had recently urged a Delhi Court to frame charges against the BJP MP in connection with the alleged sexual harassment case of women wrestlers.
The Delhi Police contradicted the contention of the accused that since some of the alleged incidents occurred overseas, they did not fall under the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi. Reportedly, the police submitted before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot of Rouse Avenue Court that the incidents of sexual harassment allegedly committed by former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh overseas and inside India, including Delhi, were part of the same offence.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) ordered to put up the arguments on the point of charge on behalf of the complainant on 20.01.2024 at 2:00 PM and 23.01.2024. The ACMM added that the date and time is given at joint request of counsels of both parties.
Earlier in July 2023, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of the Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to the BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his co-accused Vinod Tomar, who is the suspended Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
On June 15 last year, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief under Section 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.
Vinod Tomar was charged with offences under Sections 109 (abetment of any offences, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354A, and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
In April 2023, the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court seeking the registration of an FIR against then Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice to NCT of Delhi in the plea. The top court also allowed the petitioners to submit additional documents before it in a sealed cover in the case.
Previously, the apex court ordered the Delhi Commission of Police to adequately assess threat perception with respect to the alleged minor girl victim in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) sexual harassment case and hence make necessary security arrangement.