Sneh Ticku, Pune
In a recent development, a chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police on June 13th has implicated Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP), for multiple offenses including sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking. The charge sheet was submitted to the court after a thorough investigation into complaints filed by six wrestlers.
According to a report by the Indian Express, one case highlighted instances of persistent and recurring harassment by Singh, leading to charges under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 354 A (sexual harassment), and 354 D (stalking). Of the six cases investigated, Singh has been booked under Sections 354, 354A, and 354D in two cases, while the remaining four cases are charged under Sections 354 and 354A. These offenses carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. The chargesheet, filed on June 13th, has requested the court to summon Singh and the witnesses involved in the case.
As per the chargesheet, the investigation comprised 108 witnesses, with 15 witnesses corroborating the allegations made by the wrestlers. During questioning, Singh vehemently denied all accusations, claiming that he had never met the wrestlers in question and did not possess their contact information.
The wrestlers involved in the case have alleged a total of 15 incidents of sexual harassment, which encompassed inappropriate touching, intimidation, and stalking. The charge sheet provides detailed accounts of the specific allegations made by the wrestlers, supported by statements from witnesses. In one instance, three wrestlers claimed that Singh would touch their breasts and slide his hand down their shirts under the guise of checking their breathing. Another wrestler recounted an incident where Singh forcefully hugged them and offered assistance in exchange for sexual favors. Additionally, one wrestler revealed that Singh stood uncomfortably close and made derogatory remarks, saying, “zyada smart bann rahi hai kya…aage koi competition nahi khelne kya tune?”(Are you trying to act too smart? Don’t you want to compete in future tournaments?)
The investigation spanned various locations across the country, including Sonipat, Rohtak, Lucknow, Kurukshetra, Patiala, Bhiwani, Hissar, Chandigarh, and Bellary. The chargesheet firmly asserts that Singh is liable to be prosecuted and penalized for the offenses, and it now falls upon the court to summon him and the witnesses for further examination and trial.