Brij Bhushan molested, stalked women wrestlers, liable to be punished: Delhi Police chargesheet
The Delhi Police have compiled a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the benched chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which reveals that he is "liable to be prosecuted and punished" for offenses related to sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking.
The chargesheet highlights the possibility of summoning Singh to face trial in light of the case against him. Witnesses, as per IPC Section 91, may also be called upon for examination, reported India Today.
The Delhi Police on June 15 had filed a chargesheet against the BJP MP for the offences of sexual harassment and stalking six women wrestlers, and had also recommended the cancellation of a complaint filed by a minor wrestler against him.
What
During the investigation, the Delhi Police recorded 15 cases of sexual harassment involving Brij Bhushan. A total of 108 witnesses were examined, including officials from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), coaches, referees, and fellow wrestlers who participated in wrestling events.
Out of the witnesses, 15 individuals confirmed the allegations made by the grapplers who were protesting against Brij Bhushan, including notable wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Mallik, and Bajrang Punia.
In addition to confirmation, the statements of all victims were recorded under CrPC 161 and 164. The victims not only supported the allegations but also provided details of the incidents of harassment.
A photograph played crucial role
The chargesheet also mentions a photograph that played a significant role in the filing of charges against Brij Bhushan. One complainant, referring to the photo, alleged that Brij Bhushan touched her inappropriately at six different places, resulting in her feeling molested, reported India Today.
Reportedly, the photograph was taken during an event at the Sirifort Auditorium in New Delhi. According to statements recorded in the chargesheet, Brij Bhushan was accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual contact in the dining area of a hotel in 2016.
Several allegations
The complaints included in the chargesheet said that the WFI chief not only molested them at his office but also made indecent sexual advances. The chargesheet further mentions allegations of harassment during the Asian championships.
One of the grapplers accused Brij Bhushan, as stated in the chargesheet, of forcefully hugging her in Kazakhstan back in 2012. She also claimed that he persistently contacted her after the incident.
The sitting BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh has rejected all the charges against him.
Sexual harassment, assault charges against Singh
The Delhi Police have charged Brij Bhushan with offenses under sections 354 (outraging a woman's modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
"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 its report that was filed on June 15.
Congress targets BJP govt
The Congress on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" over the sexual harassment charge against Singh and said the government is facing a test from India's daughters.
"Why is Prime Minister Modi silent on the issue of sexual harassment against women sportspersons? When will Modi ji expel MP Brij Bhushan Singh from the party? When will Brij Bhushan Singh be arrested? When will the Modi government stop giving protection and patronising Brij Bhushan Singh," Shrinate said.
"You and your government are facing a test Mr Modi, not from the Opposition but from India's daughters," the Congress spokesperson said.
The wrestlers protest
The protest against Singh started again on April 23 when seven women wrestlers including a minor tried to file an FIR against Singh on April 21 for sexually harassing them since 2012.
The women wrestlers have alleged that on at least four occasions, the harassment took place at Singh's office on Asoka Road, New Delhi. The women have alleged that incidents of harassment continued even on the international tours.
The first protest was called off on January 23 after an Oversight Committee was set up to investigate the matter and it was to submit its findings within four weeks. However, as no action was taken against Singh, the wrestlers started protesting again and it finally ended on June 15.