The chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police in the wrestler protest case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh reveals "technical evidence" showing Singh allegedly making advances towards one of the complainants.
According to The Indian Express, the "technical evidence" comprises two specific photographs, Singh's phone location corroborating a witness's testimony, and a set of pictures confirming his presence at an event where alleged sexual harassment occurred.
It also highlights the absence of a visitor's register or CCTV at the WFI office, Singh's home, and the locations where two incidents of sexual harassment allegedly took place.
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How many cases have been filed against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the chargesheet by Delhi Police?
The chargesheet mentions that Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman); 354 A (sexual harassment); and 354 D (stalking).
Moreover, according to India Today, the chargesheet includes a total of 15 cases of sexual harassment against Singh, and the Delhi Police have examined 108 witnesses during the course of the investigation. Among the witnesses are WFI officials, coaches, referees, and fellow participants in wrestling events. Out of the 108, 15 of them have confirmed allegations made against Singh which include notable wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Mallik, and Bajrang Punia.
WFI officials provided four photographs where Singh is along with the complainant in a foreign country (Kazakhstan).
“In two photographs, he is seen making advances towards the complainant,” the chargesheet mentions.
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What are the allegations and evidence mentioned in the chargesheet?
The Indian Express reported the six allegations against Singh and the supporting evidence that the chargesheet has mentioned.
One of the wrestlers alleged, "After (a medal), the coaches took me along to meet Brij Bhushan. There he tried to forcibly hug me. I had a flag in one hand, so I tried to push him away with my other hand but he didn’t relent.”
“(Once), I lost a bout in the wrestling league. As soon as I moved from the mat to my team box, Brij Bhushan headed towards me and hugged me forcibly. He held me for 15-20 seconds, I tried to push him but he didn’t let me go.”
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According to the chargesheet, filed by the Delhi Police, there is evidence in the form of two photographs corroborating the allegation.
"In two photographs, he is seen making advances towards the complainant…The technical evidence, available in the form of photographs and videographs of the various events, clearly supports the allegation levelled by the complainant to the extent of the presence of the accused.”
Another wrestler alleged: "I was called in the WFI office where I went along with my coach… Bhushan, who was sitting on the chair, asked me to sit down … I informed him about my injury … He assured me of all the help, but asked me to get into a physical relationship with him for the same.”
Delhi Police mentions that the coach's "mobile tower was in the area of North Avenue near the vicinity of Ashoka Road (the office location).”
A third complainant alleged that "I was standing in the last row (for team photograph)… the accused (Singh) came and stood alongside me. I suddenly felt a hand on my buttock. When I tried moving away, I was forcibly held by my shoulder.”
The police mentioned that four colour photographs show "the complainant is seen sitting in the front row with other wrestlers and these photographs also show the accused Brij Bhushan, which can be assessed in the light of the allegations regarding moving of complainant back row to front row."
Meanwhile, a fourth complainant alleged that, "While I was lying down on the mat, the accused (Singh) came near me and to my shock and surprise leaned in and, in the absence of my coach, without seeking my permission pulled up my T-shirt, placed his hand on my breast and slid it down my stomach on the pretext of examining/checking my breathing.”
“On my visit to the federation office… I was called into the room of the accused (Singh)… my brother, who was accompanying me, was categorically asked to stay back…The accused (Singh), upon the departure of other persons, closed the door… pulled me towards himself and tried making forceful physical contact with me.”
The chargesheet mentions that the complainant is present along with Singh at the place of the first incident. But "WFI did not maintain any visitor register and no CCTV camera was installed at the premises of WFI office" for the second incident.
The fifth wrestler alleged that on the pretext of "getting a picture clicked with me, he pulled me towards him by my shoulder… to protect myself, I tried moving away from the accused (Singh).”
Police have got hold of six photographs of the championship which show "the presence of the victim and the accused at the event.”
The sixth wrestler alleged, "He made me talk to my parents on the phone, since at that time I did not possess a personal mobile phone…the accused (Singh) called me towards his bed where he was sitting and then all of a sudden, he hugged me forcefully without my permission.”
However, the chargesheet mentions that WFI has not provided "any photographs, details of the hotel, room number where the wrestler stayed" and has not replied to the request.
India's leading wrestlers, including Olympians Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, had started their protest against the WFI chief in January, calling for his ouster.
After the grapplers sat in protest for more than a month at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi this summer, Delhi Police finally lodged FIRs against Brij Bhushan and opened the case against the BJP MP.
It is perhaps for the first time that athletes have taken on a powerful federation head and could prove a watershed moment for Indian sport.