ex-wfi-chief-seeks-discharge-in-harassment-case-over-reporting-delay

In the ongoing legal proceedings, BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has moved for discharge in the sexual harassment case brought against him by women wrestlers.

 

Singh's counsel argued before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot, citing a substantial delay in reporting the alleged offences and inconsistencies in the complainants' statements.

 

The counsel emphasised that the incidents in question were purported to have occurred in 2012 but were only reported to the police in 2023. 

 

Alleging a lack of connection between the incidents, the defence also pointed out contradictions between the complainants' affidavits and statements.

 

The court is set to resume hearing the matter on February 6. The case involves Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of WFI. The defence's contention focuses on challenging the framing of charges against the accused.

 

Delhi Police, previously, had urged the court to proceed with charges against Singh, who is a six-time Member of Parliament. Singh's defence had argued that certain incidents took place overseas and, thus, fell outside the jurisdiction of Delhi courts.

 

However, police asserted that the acts of sexual harassment, both overseas and in India, are integral to the same offence.

 

A charge sheet was filed against Singh on June 15, 2023, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.