Delhi Court Grants Bail to WFI Ex-Chief and BJP MP in Sexual Harassment Case
20-07-2023 : In a significant development, a Delhi court has granted regular bail to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a BJP Member of Parliament, in a case of sexual harassment involving women wrestlers. The court also granted bail to Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal presided over the hearing and decided to grant bail to both accused individuals on a bond of Rs 25,000 each, with certain conditions. The court directed them not to leave the country without its prior permission and not to influence or offer any inducement to witnesses involved in the case.
The charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh were filed by Delhi Police on June 15 and include sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Earlier on the same day, the court had reserved its order on the bail applications of both Singh and Tomar. The judge heard arguments from the counsel representing the accused, the prosecution, and the complainants before making the decision.
During the hearing, the public prosecutor, representing Delhi Police, urged the court to impose certain conditions if bail was granted to the accused. When asked whether he was opposing the bail application, the prosecutor neither opposed nor supported it, stating that the court should decide the matter in accordance with the law and the order passed.
On the other hand, the counsel representing the complainants opposed the bail application, emphasizing that the accused wielded significant influence. He argued that if bail were to be granted, strict conditions must be imposed to ensure the integrity of the case. The counsel asserted that witnesses had been approached but not threatened during the proceedings.
In response, the defence counsel representing the accused assured the court that they would abide by all conditions set forth by the court. The defence counsel expressed confidence that no threats or attempts to influence the case would occur, emphasizing that they would strictly adhere to the law and the conditions imposed.
