Keywords: Complaint, Stalking, Modesty, IPC.
On Thursday, the Delhi police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP MP and former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for offenses including outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and other violations under the Indian Penal Code. This action was taken based on a complaint of sexual harassment filed by prominent female wrestlers.
The female wrestlers had approached a magisterial court in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue District, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Singh. The chargesheet was filed during their ongoing protest against Singh at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
Earlier, the wrestlers, through their lawyers, had demanded a court-monitored investigation and requested the court to seek a status report. The police, on Thursday, confirmed that they had filed a chargesheet under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506 (1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as stated by Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava to Bar & Bench.
However, as one of the wrestlers, who is a minor, withdrew the allegations against Singh, the police also filed a cancellation report for the cases filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
Initially, the wrestlers had approached the Supreme Court to register an FIR against Singh. Subsequently, the Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that the FIR had been registered, the investigation was underway, and statements were being recorded.
Considering the assurances given by the Delhi police, the Supreme Court closed the case and noted that it had previously ordered security to be provided to the complainants, which had been duly executed by the Delhi Police.
The apex court added that for any further relief, the petitioners could approach the appropriate jurisdictional court or the High Court.
Written By- Muskan Vyas, Legal Journalist under Legal Vidhiya
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