GUWAHATI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, asserting an alibi defence, informed the court that he was not present in Delhi at the time when one of the wrestlers had lodged a complaint against him for allegedly facing sexual harassment. A Delhi court has deferred its ruling on the framing of charges against Singh, the former president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), following his plea for additional investigation into the case.
Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot has reserved the order on Singh's application, which is scheduled to be pronounced on April 26. The prosecution opposed Singh's plea, denouncing it as a delay tactic and contending that it effectively sought further investigation.
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The court was anticipated to rule on the framing of charges against Singh, who stands accused of sexual harassment, stalking, outraging modesty, and criminal intimidation by certain women wrestlers. Six wrestlers came forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Singh, prompting the police to file a First Information Report (FIR).
On June 15, 2023, the police filed a charge sheet against Singh under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The complainants initially approached the Supreme Court seeking an FIR against Singh.
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Subsequently, the Delhi Police confirmed to the Supreme Court that an FIR had been lodged and that the investigation was underway. Additionally, a minor wrestler accused Singh of misconduct, but later retracted her complaint. Consequently, the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
