Court orders framing of charges in sex harassment case against Brij Bhushan

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday ordered framing of charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers.

The court said that it found sufficient material to frame charges against Brij Bhushan in five of the six cases. While charges will be framed under sections 354 of the Indian Penal Code (assault of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) in five cases, the sixth case against him has been dismissed.

On April 18, the court was scheduled to pronounce the order on framing of charges, but it was deferred after Brij Bhushan moved an application before the court seeking further probe into reports of his presence at the WFI office on September 7, 2022.

The application was dismissed on April 26, and the court decided to pronounce its order on May 7.

The Delhi Police had in June last year filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan over sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by the female wrestlers. The chargesheet was filed before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court.

The chargesheet was filed under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation).