The case has garnered widespread attention and support from renowned grapplers, including Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, along with various opposition parties and farmer organizations.
The New Delhi Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM), Mahima Rai Singh, made a significant move on Thursday regarding the sexual harassment case involving six female wrestlers and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also the outgoing WFI chief. The case has now been assigned to a city court that is already handling a related matter, signaling progress in the legal proceedings, as reported by PTI.
The CMM delegated the matter to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, taking into account the Delhi police prosecutor's submission that Jaspal has been handling a plea filed by the women wrestlers seeking a court-monitored probe into their allegations of sexual harassment. The decision to transfer the case aims to ensure consistency and streamline the legal process.
The allegations of sexual harassment made by the female wrestlers, including prominent athletes such as Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Vinesh Phogat, had garnered widespread attention and support. Their cause was championed by several opposition parties and farmer organizations, highlighting the broader significance of the case.
The Delhi Police had already filed a charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on June 15, citing alleged offenses of sexual harassment and stalking. The matter is now scheduled for Jaspal's consideration on June 27, as the legal proceedings move forward.
In an unexpected twist, the father of one of the minor wrestlers involved in the case revealed to PTI that he and his daughter had filed a "false" police complaint against Singh, motivated by a desire to retaliate against perceived injustice. This revelation adds complexity to the case, raising questions about the credibility of the allegations and potentially impacting the course of the legal proceedings.
The charge sheet also implicated Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for his alleged involvement in abetting the offenses.
While the case was initially slated for consideration on June 22, the decision to assign it to ACMM Harjeet Singh Jaspal represents a strategic step towards ensuring a fair and coherent handling of the matter.