After Rouse Avenue Court on Friday ordered the 'framing of charges' on sexual harassment allegations levelled by several women wrestlers against former WFI Chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh and one other accused, several wrestlers welcomed the decision and expressed hope that in the future "women will face no more harassment in wrestling".
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot while passing the order said there is sufficient material against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to proceed with the sexual harassment of five women wrestlers and with the offence of outraging the modesty of women. The court found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under sections 354 and 354 A (IPC).
Addressing the press conference, Sakshee Malikkh said, "This is a step forward to our long struggle. This fight wasn't for ourselves. but for the future generations. What we faced, should not be faced by the younger girls in the game. I welcome the court's decision. Earlier we were questioned for lack of evidence but now there is adequate evidence. We will fight the case till the accused is punished. Another thing which will not be acceptable to us till the end is that Sanjay Singh remains the President of the Wrestling Federation since he is a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh."
"We fought against sexual harassment in the federation but the purpose was not solved. With the charges being framed against him, we have hope that there will be no more harassment in wrestling," she added.
Surprisingly, Brij Bhushan Singh said that the framing of charges. have also opened doors for him.
"Prima facie the court has framed the charges today. Except for one case, they have framed charges in the remaining cases. I welcome the decision of the judiciary and now doors have opened for me," he said.
(ANI)
