Brij Bhushan Cites 'Contradiction in Complaints', 'Delay in Reporting' In Court To Seek Discharge, Next Hearing On Feb 6

After claiming that Delhi Court does not have jurisdiction over incidents of sexual harassment that occurred overseas, Brij Bhushan has sought discharge over delay by wrestlers in reporting incident.

A metropolitan court will hear Tuesday (February 6) and Wednesday (February 7) plea filed by BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to seek discharge in the sexual harassment case filed against him by women wrestlers. While the court was hearing the case on Friday, Bhushan prayed for discharge claiming delay in reporting the alleged offence and contradiction in the statements of the complainants.

After claiming that Delhi Court does not have jurisdiction over incidents of sexual harassment that occurred overseas, the counsel for the six times MP has sought discharge over delay by wrestlers in reporting the alleged incident.

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Singh's counsel told the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot that the incidents were alleged to have taken place in 2012 but were reported to police in 2023, PTI reported.

The counsel was arguing whether charges should be framed of the ex-WFI chief and co-accused Vinod Tomar. Tomar was assistant secretary to Singh at WFI.

“There was a long delay in reporting the alleged offences. The incidents of 2012 were reported to the police in 2023. The alleged incidents took place at different times and places. There is no link between the incidents...there are also contradictions in the affidavit and the statement of complainants,” the PTI report quoted the Singh's counsel

Earlier, the Delhi Police urged the court to frame charges against Singh in the case.

Singh's counsel had also previously contended before the court that since some of the alleged incidents occurred overseas, they fall out of Delhi court's jurisdiction, the report said.

The Delhi police had opposed this argument and submitted the alleged incidents of sexual harassment are part of the same offence.

In June 2023, the Delhi police filed a chargesheet in the case against the BJP MP under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.