Delhi Court Orders Framing Of Charges In Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case Against Brij Bhushan Singh

Charges were ordered to be framed against former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case by six female wrestlers by a Delhi court on Friday.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot also discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers.

Delhi court frames charges against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh in the case of sexual harassment of five female wrestlers. He has also been charged with the offence of outraging the modesty of woman. The court has found sufficient material to frame charges against Brij Bhushan.… pic.twitter.com/5hHtUlCDyj

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2024

Photo Credit: PTI

The court has ordered that charges of criminal intimidation be framed against Singh. The formal framing of charges will take place on May 21. Charges were also ordered to be framed against co-accused and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case, as reported by PTI.

The charge sheet in the case against Singh, a six-time MP, was filed by Delhi Police on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

In response to the court's decision to frame charges against him, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stated, "Prima facie, charges have been framed by the court today. Except for one case, charges have been framed in the remaining cases. I welcome the decision of the judiciary, and now doors have opened for me..."

#WATCH | On Delhis Rouse Avenue Court ordered framing of charges against him, BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, "Prima facie the court has framed the charges today. Except for one case, they have framed charges in the remaining cases. I welcome the decision of the judiciary… https://t.co/UadAOtUYAD pic.twitter.com/uvFkBor4qx

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2024

Meanwhile, Sakshee Malikkh, a wrestler, expressed satisfaction and optimism after Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

She highlighted that the struggle was not only for themselves but for future generations, aiming to prevent similar experiences for younger girls in the sport. Malikkh emphasized the importance of evidence in the case, indicating that adequate evidence had been presented to support their claims.

She affirmed their commitment to continue fighting until the accused is punished. Additionally, Malikkh raised concerns about Sanjay Singh's role as President of the Wrestling Federation, stating that his association with Singh remains unacceptable due to their efforts to combat harassment within the federation.

She expressed hope that the framing of charges against Singh would lead to a positive change and prevent further instances of harassment in wrestling.

On Delhis Rouse Avenue Court framing charges against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, wrestler Sakshee Malikkh says, "This is a step forward to our long struggle. This fight wasnt for ourselves but for the future generations. What we faced, should not be faced by the younger… https://t.co/UadAOtUYAD pic.twitter.com/NsmxWawA16

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2024