New Delhi: A Delhi court will resume recording the statement of one of the six female wrestlers who have accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment on November 26. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya has scheduled the proceedings following an in-chamber session held on November 14, where the statement of one of the complainants was recorded.
The case has garnered significant public attention since allegations against Brij Bhushan, a six-term BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, surfaced earlier this year. The charges against him include sexual harassment, using force to outrage women’s modesty, and criminal intimidation. The court had formally framed these charges on May 21, paving the way for the trial. Singh has pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the charges in court.
Background of the Case
The accusations against Singh emerged when six female wrestlers, including a minor, accused him of inappropriate conduct during his tenure as WFI president. The complainants alleged that Singh used his position to exploit them, creating a hostile environment within the wrestling community. The wrestlers publicly voiced their grievances during a high-profile protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi earlier this year, which gained widespread media coverage and support from several prominent figures and athletes.
The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in the case after conducting a detailed investigation. Singh, however, denied the allegations, terming them politically motivated. Co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former WFI assistant secretary, was also charged with criminal intimidation in the same case.
Impact and Legal Developments
The controversy surrounding the case has not only shaken the wrestling fraternity but also brought attention to issues of accountability and gender sensitivity within Indian sports administration. The government had intervened earlier, with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports forming an oversight committee to investigate the matter. Singh was later removed as the WFI president following public outrage.
As the trial progresses, the statements of the remaining complainants will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the case. The next session on November 26 is expected to shed further light on the allegations and provide momentum to the judicial process.
This case serves as a pivotal moment for Indian sports, underscoring the need for a safer and more equitable environment for athletes.
