Delhi court orders framing of charges against BJP MP and ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan, Sakshi Malik reacts
A Delhi court on Friday ordered the framing of charges of sexual harassment, using force to outrage women's modesty, and criminal intimidation against BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in case of female wrestlers' harassment.
Recently, the court dismissed an application by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh seeking further examination of evidence concerning his whereabouts on the date -- September 7, 2022 -- of an alleged incident.
The plea had argued for a detailed investigation into his claims of being abroad when the incident purportedly took place. The application had also demanded that the Delhi Police produce the Call Detail Record (CDR).
Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava, representing the Delhi Police, had opposed the application, arguing that the timing of the request was strategic and intended to prolong the case. He had stressed the potential legal ramifications of reopening the investigation at this stage.
Counsel for the complainants had criticised the application as a tactic to delay the proceedings. They argued that the necessary documents should have been procured earlier under Section 207 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which deals with the communication of evidence to the accused.
'A small step towards victory', says Sakshi Malik
Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik has described as "a small step towards victory" the order by a Delhi court on Friday to frame charges related to sexual harassment and intimidation against the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case filed by female wrestlers.
The court ordered the framing of charges under relevant sections for sexual harassment, using force to outrage women’s modesty and criminal intimidation against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the outgoing MP from Uttar Pradesh.
Many female wrestlers led by Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat had conducted protests for months against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Sakshi said she was happy to know that the case is progressing in the right direction and that justice will be served to the victims.
"This definitely is a small step towards victory. It feels nice that Brij Bhushan is being held accountable for the harassment of young female wrestlers for so many years. We will continue this battle until final justice is delivered and he is punished," Sakshi Malik told IANS in her first reaction.
Sakshi, who won a bronze medal in the Rio Olympic Games, said this was not a fight between Brij Bhushan and her and Vinesh but it was a movement to safeguard future generations of young female wrestlers.
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