Wrestlers case: Delhi Court summons BJP's Brij Bhushan Singh, Vinod Tomar

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday issued summons to BJP MP and outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar after taking cognisance of the chargesheet in the case of sexual harassment allegations by wrestlers. The court has listed the matter for July 18, 2023. Earlier this week, the court had sought a response from the «victim» and the complainant on the final report filed by Delhi Police seeking cancellation of a case against Singh for alleged sexual harassment of the minor wrestler.

Additional Sessions Judge Chhavi Kapoor had issued notice to the victim and complainant during in-chamber proceedings and directed them to file their response to the police report by August 1, when the court will further hear the matter. «The judge issued notice and adjourned the matter,» PTI quoted special public prosecutor Atul Srivastava as saying. Delhi police had on June 15 recommended dropping of POCSO charges against Singh but charged him with sexual harassment and stalking six women wrestlers.

The police had recommended the cancellation of the complaint filed by the minor wrestler against Singh, citing «no corroborative evidence». The police submitted a report based upon the statements of the complainant, who is the father of the minor, and the girl herself, a statement issued by Delhi Police had said. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) entails a minimum imprisonment of three years, depending on what section the crime falls in.