Wrestling body chief faces sexual harassment charge, no evidence in minor’s case: Cops
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, June 15, 2023: The Delhi Police on Thursday filed a chargesheet against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges levelled against him by female wrestlers.
The chargesheet was filed after wrestlers, protesting against the WFI chief since April, had met Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who assured them of taking action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by June 15.
The cops filed a report seeking the cancellation of the FIR filed under the POCSO Act against the WFI chief before a Delhi court. The report claimed that no "corroborative evidence" was found in the claims made by the minor grappler against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"In the FIR registered by the wrestlers, after completion of the investigation, we are filing a chargesheet for the offences under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) of the IPC against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and for offences under sections 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and when no express provision is made for its punishment)/ 354/354A/506 (punishment of criminal intimidation) IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the concerned court," the Delhi Police said.
"In the POCSO matter, after completion of the investigation, we have submitted a police report under Section 173 CrPC requesting a cancellation of the case based upon statements of the complainant -- the father of the victim and the victim herself," they added.
Sources said the minor had given her first statement to the police wherein she levelled sexual harassment allegations against the WFI chief. But when she appeared to give her statement for the second time, she changed her stance.
"I was not selected. I worked very hard. I was in depression. So, in anger, I filed a case of sexual harassment," sources said, quoting the minor wrestler.
The court put up the matter for further consideration on July 4.
On April 28, Delhi Police registered two FIRs, including the one under the POCSO Act, against the WFI chief at the Connaught Place police station.
Several Indian wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malikkh, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual assault, including that of a minor wrestler.
The WFI chief has been accused of sexually exploiting female wrestlers for several years, a charge that the BJP MP from Kaiserganj has denied. Refuting all claims, he has said that these protests were politically motivated and the accusations were false.
The wrestlers have called for Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s immediate arrest.
Courtesy: India Today