Brij Bhushan
Delhi Court grants bail to wrestling body chief in sexual harassment case
New Delhi/IBNS: A Delhi Court has granted regular bail to BJP MP and outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment filed by women wrestlers.
The court has also granted regular bail to the suspended Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, after hearing arguments, granted bail to the accused with the conditions of furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000 each and that they should not influence the witnesses or tamper with the evidence.
The court while granting the bail said: "This court is bound to follow the mandate of the Apex Court in Satender Kumar Antil vs CBI, wherein the Supreme Court has observed that where the offences are punishable with imprisonment of 7 years or less and the chargesheet has been filed without arrest and the accused has cooperated throughout in the investigation including appearing before Investigating Officer whenever called, the bail applications of such accused on appearance may be decided without the accused being taken in physical custody or by granting interim bail till the bail application is decided."
The court has now adjourned the matter till July 28 for further proceedings and scrutiny of documents.
Counsel for Singh submitted that the chargesheet has been filed without arrest and the accused have cooperated with the investigation.
Opposing Singh's request for regular bail, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the wrestlers told the court that he is an influential person and could attempt to influence witnesses in the case. The lawyer said Singh should be told that he can't approach complainants or witnesses.
Additional Public Prosecutor for State submitted that if the court granted regular bail to Sharan Singh and Tomar then strong conditions should be imposed against both.
The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet under sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) defined under Indian Penal Code(IPC) against Singh on June 15.
They sought to cancel the POCSO case after the minor changed her statement and gave no evidence, even collaborative.
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