'Wasn't In India...': Ex-WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh Tells Court In Fresh Appeal

New Delhi: A Delhi court has deferred its decision on framing charges against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This decision comes after Singh requested an additional investigation into the case, citing the defence of alibi.

Singh asserted to the court that he was not present in Delhi during the alleged incident of sexual harassment involving one of the wrestlers who lodged a complaint against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot has reserved the order on Singh's application, with the final decision expected to be announced on April 26. The prosecution opposed Singh's plea, labelling it as a delaying tactic and arguing that it effectively amounted to a request for further investigation.

The case revolves around allegations of sexual harassment, stalking, outraging of modesty, and criminal intimidation by several women wrestlers against Singh. Six wrestlers had initially levelled accusations against him, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the police.

On June 15, 2023, the police filed a chargesheet against Singh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including outraging modesty, sexually coloured remarks, stalking, and criminal intimidation. The complaints prompted the involvement of the Supreme Court, which was informed by the Delhi Police about the FIR registration and the ongoing investigation.

Notably, one of the complainants was a minor wrestler, who later withdrew her complaint. Consequently, the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) in that particular case.