In a significant development in the ongoing sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers, the Delhi police have dropped coach Jagbeer Singh as a prosecution witness. Previously listed as a key witness for the prosecution, Jagbeer Singh's removal comes as the court prepares to hear evidence from another victim wrestler.
On Saturday, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Priyanka Rajpoot recorded the statement of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Atul Srivastava, who explained the decision to drop Jagbeer Singh from the witness list.
The SPP stated that Jagbeer Singh's testimony was redundant, as his statements were similar to those of other prosecution witnesses who had already provided evidence in relation to the alleged incident that occurred in Lucknow.
The court has rescheduled the matter for November 4, where the focus will shift to the testimony of another victim. This case has garnered significant attention, especially considering the serious allegations against the accused, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and his co-defendant, Vinod Tomar, who are facing trial in connection with the harassment claims.
In another development, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has filed an application requesting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate the issuance of his passport. This request comes amidst the ongoing legal proceedings against him.
During the previous hearing, the court completed the examination of referee Narender, who testified about his presence during a photo session in Lucknow in March 2022.
This session included both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the victim wrestlers. The defence counsel, Rajiv Mohan, rigorously cross-examined Narender, posing questions regarding the timeline of events following the alleged incident.
During the cross-examination, the defence sought to clarify how long Narender remained at the scene after the incident, which victims were present, and the duration of their stay.
Additionally, the defence inquired whether Narender had contacted any of the victims after the March photo incident and before he recorded his statement with the police.
Narender admitted that he had not participated in the women wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2023, attributing his absence to his status as a government servant. However, the defence counsel confronted him with a Facebook post that depicted him alongside the wrestlers, prompting further scrutiny regarding his claims.
In response, Narender clarified that the photograph was taken at an Akhada meeting and that while he did share the post, it was not originally posted by him. This cross-examination illustrates the complexities surrounding the testimonies in this high-profile case.
The proceedings continue to unfold as both the prosecution and defence prepare for the next steps in what has become a landmark case in the realm of sports and sexual harassment.
The outcome of this case holds significant implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the larger conversation surrounding athlete safety and the accountability of those in positions of power.
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