The Delhi Police chargesheet against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh includes “technical evidence” such as two photos that purport to show him “making advances towards (one) complainant,” his phone location matching another’s testimony, and a set of photos that confirm his attendance at an event where an alleged incident of sexual harassment allegedly occurred.
However, the WFI office on Ashoka Road in the capital—Singh’s residence and the location of at least two instances of sexual harassment—did not have a visitor’s register and did not have any CCTV.
The chargesheet is based on the police investigation into sexual harassment complaints made by six elite wrestlers, which was originally published by The news agency on Tuesday.
According to the document, Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking in violation of Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging a woman’s modesty), 354 A (sexual harassment), and 354 D (stalking).
The chargesheet states that in response to a police request, WFI officials provided four images proving Brij Bhushan and the complainant were present in Kazakhstan. The chargesheet claims that “in two photographs, he is seen making advances towards the complainant.”
The chargesheet found that Singh was present at the alleged abuse locations indicated in the complaint filed by five of the six victims based on WFI-provided photos of wrestling events and Call Detail Records of witnesses.
The chargesheet’s technical evidence status and the allegations for each complaint are listed below.
“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.”
Evidence: “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.”
Allegations: “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.”
Evidence: “…On the day of the alleged incident, he (complainant’s coach) was present in the area of New Delhi district and his mobile tower location was in the area of North Avenue near the vicinity of Ashoka Road (the office location).”
Allegations: “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.”
Evidence: WFI provided four printouts of coloured photographs related to the event and in these photographs, 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.
Allegations: “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.”
Evidence: “The complainant is seen standing with other wrestlers along with the alleged Brij Bhushan, which established the presence of the accused and the complainant at the place of the incident.”
“As per reply, WFI did not maintain any visitor register and no CCTV camera was installed at the premises of WFI office.”
Allegations: “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).”
Evidence: “WFI has provided six coloured printouts of the photographs of the championship, depicting the presence of the victim and the accused at the event.”
Allegations: “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.”
Evidence: “Notice sent to WFI, which was the host of the event, asking them to provide any photographs, details of the hotel, room number where the wrestler stayed, but no reply has been received so far.”
