The Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case. Both accused have been chargesheeted for trial “without arrest” as they have cooperated with the investigation and joined the probe as per the directions under section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The chargesheet, which spans 1599 pages and includes statements from 44 witnesses, has been prepared against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for the commission of offenses under sections 354/354A/354D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Vinod Tomar, on the other hand, is accused of aiding and facilitating the commission of the crime. He is being forwarded for trial under sections 354/354A/109/506 IPC.
According to the Delhi Police chargesheet, Brij Bhushan Singh is “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offenses” of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking based on the investigation conducted so far. The chargesheet also mentions that witnesses in the case have reported observing inappropriate gestures from the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president.
The digital/electronic devices and exhibits seized during the investigation have been submitted to the relevant Forensic Labs for analysis. The results of this analysis, as well as the analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) and other pertinent evidence, will be included in supplementary police reports to be filed expeditiously.
In a separate matter related to the same case, the Delhi Police had earlier recommended the cancellation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The decision was made after the minor who had accused him of sexual harassment changed her statement, and there was insufficient collaborative evidence to proceed with the case.
The trial court has summoned Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on July 18 in connection with the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police. The case was lodged based on complaints by women wrestlers, leading to the registration of two separate FIRs against Singh.
The Delhi Police has taken significant steps in investigating the allegations and presenting the chargesheet. It will now be up to the court to evaluate the evidence and proceed with the trial.