In a case involving the sexual harassment of female wrestlers, a Delhi court today filed charges against BJP MP and former wrestling promoter Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The powerful politician has been subjected to sections of the Indian Penal Code that deal with sexual harassment, using force against a woman, and criminal intimidation.
This afternoon, the BJP MP was taken to the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi. He declared he was prepared for the trial and entered a not guilty plea to the charges of sexual harassment when the case came up. “When I have not committed any mistake, why will I admit it?” he responded.
After framing the charges, the court requested that Brijbhushan Singh sign the relevant paperwork.
This time, the BJP refused to grant the six-time MP from Uttar Pradesh a poll pass, presumably in response to the outcry from the public over the claims of sexual harassment. As an alternative, the party fielded his son Karan Bhushan Singh, who has three times represented Kaiserganj.
The Delhi Police must now substantiate the charges that have been made. I can prove my innocence with this. These cases are untrue. We have to adhere to the legal process, he later told the media. Brijbhushan Singh grinned and said, “My son has got a ticket,” when asked if the accusations had prevented him from receiving a poll ticket.
