NEW DELHI: Former Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday claimed that Delhi Police has revoked the security cover of female wrestlers set to testify in the sexual harassment case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“Delhi Police has withdrawn the security of the women wrestlers who are going to testify against Brij Bhushan in the court. @DelhiPolice @DCWDelhi @NCWIndia,” Phogat said in a post on X.
However, the Delhi police denied the allegation.
“The security provided to the wrestlers hasn’t been withdrawn; it was decided to request Haryana Police to takeover the responsibility in future since the protectees normally reside there,” said DCP New Delhi in a post on X.In January 2023, wrestlers including Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang Punia protested against Brij Bhushan accusing him of sexual exploitation and intimidation.
Delhi court on May 21 formally framed the charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar ( the former assistant secretary of WFI). They denied all the allegations and claimed trial. The court had given a direction to frame charges against them on May 10.
The Court on May 10 ordered on ‘framing of charge’ on Sexual Harassment allegations levelled by several women wrestlers against former WFI Chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh and TomarWhile passing the order, the court had said there was sufficient material against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to proceed with the sexual harassment of five women wrestlers and with the offence of outraging the modesty of a woman.
The Court found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under sections 354 and 354 A (IPC). Charges have also been framed against him under section 506 (part 1) on the allegations of two women. However, the court discharged Brij Bhushan from the allegations made by the sixth wrestler, said the court.
The court also framed charges against the second accused Vinod Tomar under Section 506 (part 1) of the IPC on the allegation of one woman and discharged him with the rest of the allegations made against him. The court has now listed the matter for official framing of charges May 21.
The Delhi Police chargesheet filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar stated that both accused are charge sheeted for trial ‘without arrest’ as they have complied with the directions u/s 41A CrPC by joining the investigation.
The chargesheet has further stated that based on the investigation so far, Brij Bhushan Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.
A 1599-page chargesheet in the case, having statements of 44 witnesses and six statements was recorded under CrPC 164.Delhi Police in the chargesheet also submitted several pictures including the picture clicked during the events.
Delhi Police charge sheet stated that based on the “investigation so far,” of the complaints by six top wrestlers, Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking.
The charge sheet stated that witnesses in the matter have mentioned that they also saw the physically wrong gesture of the then WFI president.Delhi police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, 2023. This case was lodged on a complaint lodged by female wrestlers. (ANI)