The Delhi police on September 16 submitted in the Rouse Avenue Court that the oversight committee constituted by the Sports Ministry to probe sexual harassment allegations against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had never exonerated him.
The submissions were made in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal who is currently hearing the arguments on framing of charges against Mr. Singh and one other co-accused in this case.
“Mr. Singh was not exonerated by the oversight committee. The committee had given certain recommendations,” public prosecutor Atul Srivastava said.
Earlier last month, counsel of the women wrestlers who have accused Mr. Singh of sexual harassment, told the court that the ‘oversight committee’ was not constituted as per the rules of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act and the report needed to be junked. Advocate Rebecca John also submitted that the panel was an “eyewash to assuage sentiments”.
The oversight committee was headed by champion woman boxer M.C. Mary Kom. The government had never made the report of the committee public.
The next date of hearing in the matter is on September 23 on which the prosecution is likely to advance its arguments.
The Delhi police, in June, had filed a 1,000-page charge sheet in the matter accusing Mr. Singh and another former WFI staffer Virendra Tomar of offences such as outraging modesty, making sexually coloured remarks, stalking and criminal intimidation. The court has given bail to the accused on July 20.
