The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the city police to respond to a petition filed by former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who seeks the quashing of the FIR and charges against him in a sexual harassment case brought by several female wrestlers.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued a notice to the complainant wrestlers and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 13.
Singh, a former BJP MP, has faced accusations of sexual assault from multiple female wrestlers, who protested for weeks demanding an investigation.
The Delhi Police registered an FIR against him following a Supreme Court intervention in May 2023. After charges of sexual harassment, intimidation, and outraging the modesty of women were framed by a trial court on May 21, Singh approached the High Court, asserting that he had been falsely implicated and that no offenses, as alleged, had occurred.
In his petition, Singh contends that the investigation was biased, as only the victims’ narratives were considered, alleging a motive of revenge. He argues that the charge sheet submitted to the trial court did not address the veracity of the claims made against him.
Represented by advocate Rajiv Mohan, Singh asserts that the ongoing trial court proceedings contravene basic legal principles, as each alleged incident is a “standalone offense” and does not constitute a continuous sequence of events.
Notably, some allegations refer to incidents occurring outside of India’s jurisdiction.
Previously, the police had argued in the High Court that Singh’s petition was not maintainable. Additionally, the trial court has framed charges of criminal intimidation against co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former WFI assistant secretary, who is also challenging the charges and the FIR in his own petition.
