New Delhi [India], May 10 : After Rouse Avenue Court on Friday ordered the 'framing of charges' on sexual harassment allegations levelled by several women wrestlers against former WFI Chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh and one other accused, several wrestlers welcomed the decision and expressed hope that in the future "women will face no more harassment in wrestling".
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot while passing the order said there is sufficient material against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to proceed with the sexual harassment of five women wrestlers and with the offence of outraging the modesty of women.The court found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under sections 354 and 354 A (IPC).
Addressing the press conference, Sakshee Malikkh said, "This is a step forward to our long struggle. This fight wasn't for ourselves but for the future generations. What we faced, should not be faced by the younger girls in the game. I welcome the court's decision. Earlier we were questioned for lack of evidence but now there is adequate evidence. We will fight the case till the accused is punished. Another thing which will not be acceptable to us till the end is that Sanjay Singh remains the President of the Wrestling Federation since he is a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh."
"We fought against sexual harassment in the federation but the purpose was not solved. With the charges being framed against him, we have hope that there will be no more harassment in wrestling," she added.
Surprisingly, Brij Bhushan Singh said that the framing of charges have also opened doors for him.
"Prima facie the court has framed the charges today. Except for one case, they have framed charges in the remaining cases. I welcome the decision of the judiciary and now doors have opened for me," he said.
The charges have also been framed against him under Section 506 (part 1) on the allegations of two women. However, the court discharged Brij Bhushan from the allegations made by the sixth wrestler, said the court.The court also framed charges against the second accused Vinod Tomar under section 506 (part 1) of the IPC on the allegation of one woman and discharged him with the rest allegations made against him.
Meanwhile, wrestler Bajrang Punia said that that decision has provided some relief to the women wrestlers who have faced grave injustice.
"Charges have been framed against Brij Bhushan. Thanks to the honourable court. This is a big victory for the struggle of women wrestlers. The daughters of the country have had to go through such a difficult time, but this decision will give relief. Those who trolled the women wrestlers should also be ashamed. Satyameva Jayate," Bajrang Punia posted on X.
The court has now listed the matter for official framing of charges on May 21.Recently, the same court dismissed an application moved by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, seeking further investigation and the placement of a call detail record of a coach.
Brij Bhushan had sought a direction to place on record the CDR of coach Vijender concerning an alleged incident at the WFI office in New Delhi.Singh claimed that he was not in Delhi on the said date. He was in Serbia on September 7, 2022.
The Delhi Police chargesheet filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar stated that both accused are chargesheeted for trial 'without arrest' as they have complied with the directions under Section 41A CrPC by joining the investigation.
The chargesheet further stated that based on the investigation so far, Brij Bhushan Singh was "liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences" of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.
A 1599-page chargesheet in the case, having statements of 44 witnesses and six statements, was recorded under CrPC 164.
Delhi Police in the chargesheet, also submitted several pictures, including the picture clicked during the events.
The Delhi Police charge sheet stated that based on the "investigation so far," of the complaints by six top wrestlers, Singh was "liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences" of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.
The chargesheet stated that witnesses in the matter have mentioned that they also saw the physically wrong gesture of the then WFI president.
Delhi police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, last year.This case was lodged on a complaint lodged by women wrestlers.
In the wrestlers' matter, two FIRs were registered against Brij Bhushan Singh based on the wrestlers' complaints.One was registered under the POCSO Act and a cancellation report has been filed in the case of a minor wrestler. The second FIR was filed on the complaint of several wrestlers.
In both matters, Delhi Police officials said that in the FIR registered by the wrestlers, after completion of the investigation, we are filing a chargesheet for the offences under sections 354, 354A, 354D IPC against accused Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and for offences under sections109/ 354/354A/506 IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the Rouse Avenue Court, said Suman Nalwa, PRO, Delhi Police.