In a major relief for BJP leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Monday accepted the Delhi Police’s cancellation report in the POCSO case filed against him, effectively closing the matter under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The case was initially registered based on a complaint by a woman wrestler who was a minor at the time. However, the complainant later withdrew her statement, leading the Delhi Police to submit a cancellation report on 15 June 2023. The report, which spans over 500 pages, was filed under the POCSO Act.
This court decision comes after Additional Sessions Judge Gomti Manocha on Saturday directed the minor wrestler who had accused Singh of sexual harassment to appear in court to verify her statement in the case today.
During court proceedings on 1 August 2023, the complainant and her father appeared before the court and expressed satisfaction with the police investigation. Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava informed the media that neither opposed the closure report submitted by the Delhi Police, news agency ANI reported. Earlier, the court had issued a notice to both the complainant and her father on 4 July 2023.
Previously, the final order in the case had been deferred several times by then Special POCSO Judge Chhavi Kapoor following the retraction of the complainant’s statement.
Framing Of Charges Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh In Sexual Harassment
Meanwhile, in a separate but related case, the Rouse Avenue Court had ordered that charges be framed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, based on allegations of sexual harassment. The trial has been directed to commence, with prosecution witnesses’ statements set to be recorded. Proceedings against Singh and Tomar have been initiated under sections 354, 354A, and 354D of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while Tomar also faces charges under sections 109, 354, 354A, and 506 of the BNS.
Delhi Police confirmed that a charge sheet had been filed in the Rouse Avenue Court following a detailed investigation. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former BJP MP, has consistently denied all allegations made by the wrestlers.
