delhi-hc-to-hear-brij-bhushan-s-plea-in-wrestlers-case

Former Parliamentarian Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the ongoing trial court proceedings against him, which stem from a Delhi Police FIR.

 

The FIR was lodged following complaints from several women wrestlers who accused Singh of sexual harassment and outraging their modesty. Singh’s petition seeks to contest the continuation of these legal proceedings.

 

In his plea, Singh has challenged the FIR, the chargesheet, and the trial court's order related to the framing of charges in the case. He has requested the Delhi High Court to quash the entire legal proceedings, including the FIR and the trial court's decision to frame charges against him. Singh's petition argues that the legal actions taken against him are unfounded and should be dismissed.

 

The matter is scheduled to be heard by the Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna on Thursday.

 

Last week, the trial court recorded the testimony of one of the complainants in the case. The statement was taken in a vulnerable witness room to ensure the safety and comfort of the witness. The court has also directed the city police to promptly reinstate the security of a female wrestler who has accused Singh of sexual harassment.

 

On May 10, the trial court ordered the framing of charges against Singh, based on the sexual harassment allegations made by several women wrestlers. The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot stated that there was sufficient material to proceed with the case against Singh for sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers.

 

The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, last year. The charge sheet was based on the complaints lodged by the women wrestlers. Two FIRs were registered against Singh in connection with this case.

 

The first FIR, filed under the POCSO Act, involved a minor wrestler, but a cancellation report has been filed for that case. The second FIR, which was based on complaints from several wrestlers, resulted in the chargesheet against Singh.

 

The Delhi Police have confirmed that the charge sheet includes offences under sections 354, 354A, and 354D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and offences under sections 109, 354, 354A, and 506 of the IPC against Vinod Tomar. The chargesheet has been filed before the Rouse Avenue Court, and the trial is ongoing.