The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to set aside a sexual harassment case against former wrestling body chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The former Kaiserganj MP moved the HC against a trial court order, which framed charges against him.
The apex court bench, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, asked Singh's lawyer to submit a note with all his contentions for quashing the case against him. The matter has been posted for the next hearing on September 26.
In May, Singh was booked under IPC Sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment) by the trial court. He, however, pleaded not guilty to these charges.
“This court has found sufficient material on record to frame charges against accused no. 1 Brij Bhushan Saran Singh for the offences under Section 354 (outraging modesty of woman) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code regarding victims no. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,” the court had said.
As many as six women alleged they faced sexual harassment at the hands of Singh. The Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet in this regard and is challenging the maintainability of the ex-WFI chief’s petition.
Brij Bhushan Singh’s lawyer, Rajeev Mohan, argued that the FIR and subsequent proceedings against the former were motivated and driven by a hidden agenda. He claims that the actions against Singh were not justifiable and seeks to undermine him.
The Court, however, highlighted that the trial in the case had already begun and charges were framed against the former WFI chief. It also expressed concern over the delay in Singh’s challenge to the proceedings.