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A Delhi court is set to resume the recording of statements from one of the female wrestlers who have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, of sexual harassment.
The session, initially scheduled for Saturday, was adjourned due to the absence of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya, who was on leave. The hearing is now slated to continue on March 3.
The case, which involves multiple female wrestlers accusing Singh of sexual misconduct, has been ongoing for several months. In May 2023, the court framed charges against Singh, including sexual harassment and using force to outrage the modesty of women.
These charges were based on the criminal complaint filed by the wrestlers, who allege that Singh abused his power as the head of the WFI to exploit them. Singh, a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty, requesting a trial to clear his name.
In addition to the charges of sexual harassment, the court also framed a charge of criminal intimidation against Singh. This charge stems from the allegations that Singh, along with his co-accused, threatened the wrestlers to prevent them from speaking out about the incidents. Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of WFI and a co-accused in the case, is also facing a charge of criminal intimidation.
The case has gained significant attention, not just for the nature of the allegations, but also because of the involvement of well-known figures in the Indian sports world.
The wrestlers’ courage to come forward has sparked debates about the safety and protection of athletes, particularly women, in sports organizations.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus now shifts to the court hearings scheduled for March 3, when the testimony of the accuser will continue. This case is one among several recent incidents in India, highlighting concerns about sexual harassment and misconduct in various professional fields, especially in the realm of sports.
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