NEW DELHI: Accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers, BJP MP and former
WFI
chief
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
on Friday sought to be discharged from the case, arguing there was delay in reporting of alleged offences and contradictions in statements of the complaints.
During the arguments in a metropolitan court, Singh's counsel informed Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot that the incidents, which were said to have occurred in 2012, were only reported to the police in 2023.
The submission was part of the discussions on whether charges should be framed against Singh and his co-accused, Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of the
Wrestling Federation of India
(WFI).
“There was a long delay in reporting the alleged offences. The incidents of 2012 were reported to the police in 2023. The alleged incidents took place at different time and places. There is no link between the incidents...there are also contradictions in the affidavit and the statement of complainants,” the counsel told the court.
The court will resume hearing the matter on February 6.
Delhi Police had earlier urged the court to frame charges against Singh in the case.
The city police had opposed the contention of the accused that since some of the alleged incidents had occurred overseas, they do not fall within the jurisdiction of courts in Delhi.
Police submitted the incidents of sexual harassment, allegedly committed by Singh, overseas and in India, including Delhi, are part of the same offence.
The city police had filed a charge sheet in the case against Singh, a six-time MP, on June 15, 2023 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
(With inputs from PTI)
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