Enough evidence to proceed against Brij Bhushan: Court

Former WFI chief asked to appear before court on July 18

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was summoned on Friday by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court for the alleged sexual harassment of several women wrestlers. The court said that there was enough evidence against Singh to proceed with the case. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal has asked Singh to appear on July 18.

A charge sheet was filed on June 15 against the six-time MP under sections 354, 354D, 345A of the IPC for stalking and sexual harassment.(PTI)

“Perusal of the police report, statements of the victims recorded u/s 164 CrPC shows that the allegations are specific, suggesting offences under aforementioned provisions of Indian Penal Code,” the court said.

“Having heard the submissions and having carefully considered the police report, along with its annexed documents, including the statements of the victims recorded u/s 161 CrPC and statements recorded u/s 164 CrPC, the statements of other witnesses recorded u/s161 CrPC, the other oral and documentary evidence, etc., this Court takes cognizance for the offences committed,” said the court’s order.

A charge sheet was filed on June 15 against the six-time MP under sections 354, 354D, 345A of the IPC for stalking and sexual harassment.

This was after protracted protests by decorated wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat. For 38 days, they protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding Singh’s arrest until the police detained them for violating law and order on May 28. The wrestlers suspended their protest after sports minister Anurag Thakur met and assured them that the charge sheet in the case would be filed by June 15.