Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sexual harassment case heads to trial as he pleads not guilty

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers..The former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) head appeared before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court and said that he has not committed the offence.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot asked Singh if he accepts his mistake and pleads guilty?Singh replied, “Iska koi sawal hi nahi. Galti kiye hi nahi (There is no question of that. I have not made any mistake).”Co-accused Vinod Tomar also pleaded not guilty to the offence.As a result of the statements, the matter will go to trial..The Court had on May 10 framed charges of sexual harassment and outraging modesty of women against Singh for harassing five women wrestlers.Judge Rajpoot had said that there is sufficient material on record to frame charges against Singh for the offences punishable under Sections 354 [outraging modesty of a woman] and 354A [sexual harassment] of the Indian Penal Code,She also held that there is sufficient material on record to frame charges against Singh for the offence punishable under Section 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC with respect two wrestlers.The Court also charged co-accused Vinod Tomar, who is the former Assistant Secretary of the WFI, with the offence of criminal intimidation for the offence against Victim No 1..Six wrestlers levelled sexual harassment allegations against Singh. Based on their complaints, the police had registered a first information report (FIR) against the MP.On June 15, 2023, the police filed a chargesheet against Singh for offences under Sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354A (sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).The complainants had earlier moved the Supreme Court for the registration of an FIR against Singh. Subsequently, the Supreme Court was informed by the Delhi Police that an FIR was registered and that the investigation was on track.A minor wrestler had also levelled allegations against Singh. However, she later withdrew her complaint and the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report in that case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).