Wrestlers' case: Court hears final arguments for Brij Bhushan Singh

The Rouse Avenue Court heard final arguments on behalf of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the wrestlers' sexual harassment case. Singh denied all allegations. The court will hear the complainants' arguments before a likely judgment.

Brij Bhushan Denies Allegations in Final Arguments

The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday heard the final arguments on behalf of former Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the alleged sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.

Singh and the former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar are facing trial in connection with allegations of sexual harassment made by women wrestlers during Singh's tenure as WFI chief. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar heard the final arguments advanced on behalf of Singh and Vinod Tomar. Advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by advocates Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, represented the accused. During the arguments, Singh denied all the allegations levelled against him. The court has listed the matter for final arguments on behalf of the complainants on Wednesday, after which it is likely to reserve its judgment in the case.

Case Background and Investigation

Earlier, on May 12 this year, the court recorded the statement of a member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The statement of the Investigating Officer has also been recorded.

The case stems from complaints filed by women wrestlers, who had staged a protest at Jantar Mantar alleging sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Based on their complaints, the Delhi Police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation.

Following the investigation, Delhi Police filed a nearly 1,500-page chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, 2023. The chargesheet was filed under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had also issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat on May 9, in which the three-time Olympian was accused of indiscipline and alleged anti-doping violations and was declared ineligible to compete in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. (ANI)

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