As the outgoing chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Singh is slated to appear before a trial court in Delhi today, the Delhi police revealed in its chargesheet that Singh is guilty of sexual harassment and molestation of some of the top wrestlers of the country. The chargesheet cited technical and corroborative evidence -- including witness statements and photographs -- to show the same.
Wrestlers, led by Olympic bronze medal winners Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, first took to the streets of New Delhi against Singh and several coaches of the sport’s governing body on January 18. They accused Singh of sexually harassing female athletes.
The six-time BJP MP faces charges under Section 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354 A (sexual harassment) and 354 D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Brij Bhushan along with another accused, Vinod Tomar, will be appearing in the Delhi court today in pursuance of a summons issued against them.
Details about the chargesheet
The Delhi Police, in its 1,082-page chargesheet said that Singh is "liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences" of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking, based on the complaints of six wrestlers. It further states that the "accused may please be summoned to face trial and witnesses named in the list of witnesses appended with the chargesheet may be called for their examination along with documents mentioned with their names."
The chargesheet also detailed the allegations and cited photographs to establish Singh's presence at some of the spots where the alleged molestation took place. It also cited evidence to show that Singh is guilty of sexual harassment and molestation, and that he did not even spare some of the top wrestlers of the country, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
Oversight panel biased?
Meanwhile, wrestlers also alleged the oversight panel led by the legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom that probed the sexual harassment accusations was biased against Singh. They expressed their fear that their statements might not have been recorded in entirety and may have been tampered with to protect the accused.
Delhi police had justified not arresting the accused, saying both Singh and WFI Assistant Secretary Tomar complied with the law by joining the investigation. "Results of digital/electronic devices and exhibits seized and deposited with the concerned Forensic Labs are yet to be received and shall be filed through supplementary police reports. The analysis of requisitioned CDRs etc., as found appropriate for the purpose of prosecution shall also be submitted expeditiously," the police said in the charge-sheet.
