Delhi Court Closes POCSO Case Against ex-WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
The Wire Staff
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday (May 26) accepted the cancellation report in the POCSO case against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chairperson and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, LiveLaw reported. Meanwhile, Singh still faces charges in the sexual harassment case filed by five women wrestlers.
The matter was heard before Additional Sessions Judge Gomati Manocha of Delhi’s Patiala court. Its closure partly brings to an end the case that witnessed massive controversy, protests and public outcry in the country.
The status of the matter now reads “cancelled” and “case disposed”, LiveLaw reported.
Also read: WFI Office Still Functioning From Home of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: Report
Following the court's decision, Brij Bhushan's younger son Karan Bhushan Singh wrote on X, "This is a decisive victory of justice and truth! Truth can be troubled, but not defeated. Long live the judiciary, long live Netaji!"
Meanwhile, his elder son Prateek Bhushan Singh wrote on X, "We have achieved a judicial victory in a false and fabricated case. Every baseless allegation is now being brought to justice. This is a victory for truth — and this victory will continue."
The Delhi Police had registered two FIRs at the Connaught Place police station against Singh on June 15, 2023, over allegations of sexual harassment against the six-time BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj. One FIR was registered under various offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, whereas the second FIR filed by a minor wrestler was registered under the POCSO Act.
The minor had later withdrawn her allegations against Singh.
Also read: Backstory: Had the Media Done its Job, Wrestlers Wouldn't Have Had to Go Through This Ordeal
According to an Economic Times report, during an in-chamber proceeding last year, the minor complainant also informed the previous judge that she was satisfied with the Delhi Police’s investigation and did not oppose the closure of the case.
Meanwhile, in the sexual harassment case, charges were framed against Singh with respect to complaints by five women wrestlers regarding incidents that are said to have occurred between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, Singh’s residence, as well as at other places.
The FIRs came after the Supreme Court's intervention following massive protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, headed by wrestling champions Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, among others.
The BJP leader, then a member of parliament, had denied all allegations and moved the Delhi high court challenging the said FIR, chargesheet and trial court proceedings. The petition is still pending adjudication.
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