Chandigarh: Wrestlers of Haryana has welcomed decision of Delhi court against the former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh facing sexual harassment charges against him. According to Rouse Avenue Court Delhi it finds sufficient evidence to frame charges against him. Sakshi Malik, Geeta Fogat and Bajrang Punia while talkingt to media persons welcome the decision by Rouse Avenue Court on Friday of charges to be formally framed under IPC sections 354, 354A, and 506 on May 21 in an alleged sexual harassment case. The development comes more than a year after top wrestlers levelled sexual exploitation and intimidation charges against the six-time BJP MP.Brij Bhushan. Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case in June last year.
Charges will be framed formally on May 21 under sections sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot said there was sufficient evidence to frame charges. The court however discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers. The three while talking to media persons said that the wrestlers had protested at Jantar Mantar New Delhi round the clock in protest against the attitude of the WFI chief and were also brutally handled by police during the protest.
Conveying thanks to the court, Sakshi Malik said this is a big victory for the struggle of women wrestlers. The daughters of the country have had to go through such difficult times, but this decision will provide relief. Those who trolled women wrestlers should also be ashamed. ‘Satyamev Jayate’ tweeted Bajrang Punia. Vinesh Fogat said that “We thank the honorable court. We had to sleep on the streets for many nights in the heat and rain, had to give up on our stable careers, only then have we been able to take a few steps forward in the fight for justice. Heartfelt gratitude to those who showered love and blessings and may God bless those who trolled and said bad things. Long live Mother India.” Past scenario reveals that nearly 30 wrestlers sat on ‘dharna’ at Jantar-Mantar on 18th January 2023, which was discontinued on 21st January on the assurance of the Ministry of Sports when a committee was constituted to investigate allegations, which submitted a report of 5th April 2023. Sex molesting complaint against Brij Bhushan was moved to police by seven wrestlers including a minor to Delhi police on 21st April when wrestlers sat on ‘dharna’ again on 23rd April 2023. On 25th April the wrestlers moved to the Supreme Court of India against Delhi police which directed police to submit a report.
However, Delhi police registered two FIRs against Brij Bhusan including a case registered under Pocksey Act on 5th May 2023. The statement of alleged accused was recorded on 11th May 2023 and police registered case against Brij Bhushan under sections 354, 354A, 354D, 506 IPC on 125th June 2023 and he was able to get anticipatory bale on 18th July 2023 and on 11th August 2023 DElhi police told the court there are sufficient evidences to file a case against the alleged accuse. Meanwhile, Brij Bhushan denied allegations against him since they were not qualified for Olympics on 7th October 2023. On 23rd January 2024 female wrestlers raised a question against the Oversight Committee Report. Brij Bhushan moved a writ in the court on 18th April 2024 that he was away abroad on 7th September 2022 the date specified in the complaint against him stating it as fake.
