Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court recently recorded the statement of the key witness in the high-profile sexual harassment case involving former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The testimony was given in a closed courtroom, under the supervision of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasia.
The case has garnered significant public attention as it involves allegations from female wrestlers, including the main witness who was a prominent figure in the women wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2023.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava represented the Delhi Police during the proceedings and oversaw the witness’s examination. The witness arrived at the court before 2 p.m., and her statement was recorded over the course of approximately two and a half hours.
Representing the accused, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, were Advocates Rajiv Mohan, Rishabh Bhati, and Rehan Khan. The legal team actively participated in the session, defending the accused against the serious allegations.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 26, where further evidence from the witness is expected to be recorded. Previously, on November 4, the court issued a summons for this key witness to appear and provide her statement.
Despite an earlier summons, the witness had been unable to testify as she was out of the country for two months participating in a wrestling championship.
The defense counsel argued against summoning this witness, pointing out that she is the author of the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case. The defense’s contention suggests they believe her involvement in filing the FIR may affect her testimony’s impartiality.
In a recent development on October 19, Delhi Police decided to drop one of the witnesses, Coach Jagbeer Singh, from the case. While the exact reasons for this decision remain unclear, it potentially signals a narrowing of the witness pool as the case advances.
The court proceedings have underscored the ongoing complexities in a case that has become a flashpoint for discussions on women’s safety and accountability within sports in India.
As the trial progresses, the judiciary’s actions and the witness testimonies will likely continue to shape public discourse on the treatment of athletes and the broader issue of harassment within the sporting community.
