Women wrestlers claim in Delhi court, only our breathing was checked by placing hand on chest, not that of men; Oversight committee report rejected
In the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the breathing exercise i.e. checking the breath by placing hands on the chest was only for women wrestlers and not for men, the women wrestlers argued in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. On Tuesday, a hearing was held in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajput regarding framing of charges against former WFI President Brij Bhushan.
Women wrestlers, who filed a complaint of sexual harassment against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, have raised questions on the Oversight Committee and its report. This committee had investigated the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The hearing on framing of charges in this case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was held in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. Senior lawyer Rebecca John argued on behalf of the complainant women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajput heard the matter and listed the matter for further hearing on February 2, 2024. On this day, lawyers of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar will present their arguments. While presenting his arguments on behalf of the women wrestlers, the senior lawyer said that the Oversight Committee was not formed under the POSH (Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment) Act. On behalf of the women wrestlers, it was said that the report of this committee is not a statutory report and it cannot be trusted. The wrestler’s lawyer also said that the accused has committed the crime and there is enough evidence to frame charges against the accused.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajput heard the matter and listed the matter for further hearing on February 2, 2024. On this day, lawyers of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar will present their arguments. While presenting his arguments on behalf of the women wrestlers, the senior lawyer said that the Oversight Committee was not formed under the POSH (Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment) Act. On behalf of the women wrestlers, it was said that the report of this committee is not a statutory report and it cannot be trusted. The wrestler’s lawyer also said that the accused has committed the crime and there is enough evidence to frame charges against the accused.
In the court, the counsel for the women wrestlers said that the Oversight Committee was not an internal complaint committee. He has no findings, it is not a report and not an exoneration. Citing the statement of a witness, the senior lawyer said that breathing exercise was conducted only for female wrestlers but not for male wrestlers. The senior lawyer said, ‘Where is the paragraph in which the committee has acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. There are no acquittals and the report is not based on facts.
Concluding his arguments, the senior counsel appearing for the women wrestlers said that an offense has been committed under sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code. He also said that co-accused Vinod Tomar’s role was that of an instigator. He said that the facts clearly say that prima facie a case is made out against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
