Brij Bhushan To Be Charged With Sexual Harassment: Will Wrestlers Get Justice?

A Delhi Court, on May 10, framed sexual harassment charges against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case filed by five female wrestlers. The Bharatiya Janata Party MP will also be charged with the offence of outraging the modesty of women and criminal intimidation. On June 15, 2023, the Delhi police registered 10 complaints and two FIRs against Brij Bhushan, alleging sexual harassment of seven women wrestlers, including a minor. Several Indian wrestlers took out a massive protest in January 2023, alleging sexual harassment by the Federation chief Brij Bhushan. The outrage shook the entire nation and also got the attention of several international media houses.

The complaints consisted of at least two instances of demanding sexual favours by offering to do professional favours and 15 instances of sexual harassment, including inappropriate touching, placing his hands over women’s chests, stalking, running his hands across a woman’s chest and back, and so on. 

Charged Of Sexual Harassment

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot of Rouse Avenue Courts said on May 10, "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."

LiveLaw reported that the court found sufficient material on record to frame charges against Singh for the offences under Section 506 Part 1 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC concerning two of the survivors. The court also framed these charges against fellow accused and former assistant secretary of WFI, Vinod Tomar. 

The wrestlers who were at the forefront of the protests released a statement expressing relief that the accused would finally be charged. These include top Indian wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat.

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10 Complaints Against WFI Chief

In June 2023, Delhi Police shared that these complaints against the WFI chief were registered by the wrestlers on April 21, 2023, and the two FIRs were filed on April 28, 2023. The FIRs were lodged under sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty), 354(a) (sexual harassment), 354(d) (stalking), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, which accounts for a three-year jail term, and Section 10 of the POCSO Act.

FIR By Wrestlers

The first FIR mentioned the allegations put forth by the six athletes, while the second one mentioned the allegations filed by the minor athlete’s father. 

The minor athlete complained that WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Singh held her tight for a photo. She mentioned that he also pressed her shoulder and purposefully touched her inappropriately. She added that she explicitly told him not to stalk her and that she was not interested in having any physical relationship with him.

This FIR invoked Section 10 of the POCSO Act, which would lead to five to seven years of imprisonment. The minor athlete stated that the harassment took place between 2012 and 2022 in both India and abroad.

Complaints by wrestlers

A wrestler complained that the WFI coach touched her inappropriately while having dinner at a restaurant. She claimed that he touched her shoulders, knees, and palms. Under the pretext of understanding her breathing patterns, the WFI coach touched her chest and stomach.

Another wrestler alleged that she was lying on a mat when WFI Chief Brij Bhushan lifted her t-shirt and put his hands on her chest. She also said that he pulled her forcefully towards him and attempted to make physical contact with her.

A third wrestler stated that the WFI chief hugged her forcefully and offered her a bribe. She didn’t have a phone, so he allowed her to talk to her parents and also offered to buy her supplements in exchange for sexual favours.

The WFI chief was also accused of inappropriately touching another wrestler by touching her stomach and chest under the pretext of knowing her breathing patterns.

Another wrestler claimed in her complaint that the WFI Chief inappropriately touched her back while she was standing in a line for a photograph. She added that he held on to her shoulder as she tried to get away from him.

The WFI chief was also alleged to have forcefully pulled a wrestler close to him while taking a photo. When she tried to move away from him, he tightly held onto her shoulder and threatened not to consider her for tournaments in the future.