Delhi court grants regular bail to Brij Bhushan Singh in the sexual harassment case

Brij Bhushan Sharan granted regular bail in the sexual harassment case filed by six wrestlers on the condition that he will not leave the country without prior permission from the court and will not try to threaten or influence witnesses and the complainants.

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TODAY, a Delhi court granted regular bail to Wrestling Federation of Indian (WFI) president and Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed against him by six Indian wrestlers.

The Order granting bail was issued by additional chief metropolitan magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal.

On June 15, 2023, the Delhi police had filed a chargesheet on the basis of a first information report (FIR) filed against Singh under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D(stalking) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Singh was reportedly ordered to furnish a personal bond of ₹25,000 by the court. As per the conditions of his bail bond, Singh will not be allowed to leave the country without prior permission of the court and shall not attempt to induce any of the complainants or witnesses.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 28.

Advocate Harsh Vohra, appearing for the complainants, urged the court to take note of Singh's political influence and to not grant bail.

"Bail should not be granted. If at all it is granted, strict conditions must be imposed. Witnesses have been approached from time to time, no threat though," Vohra told the court.

During the hearing, the public prosecutor representing the Delhi Police in the case said "I am neither opposing nor supporting" the granting of bail.

Appearing for Singh, advocate Rajiv Mohan submitted that since the present case is not one where custodial interrogation is required, a custody Order would not be appropriate.

It was also submitted by Mohan that Singh was willing to abide by any condition that the court may impose and was ready to file an undertaking that he will not attempt to induce any complainant or witness.

On July 7, the court had taken cognisance of the chargesheet filed against Singh by the Delhi police. The court had issued a summons to Singh and his associate Vinod Tomar, directing them to appear before the court on July 18.

On July 18, Singh and Tomar were granted interim bail of two days by the court.

Singh has also been booked under a separate FIR filed by a minor complainant under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

On June 15, the Delhi police recommended cancellation of the POCSO case against him, citing no "corroborative evidence". 

The Patiala House Court, where the case is ongoing, is yet to determine whether to accept the police report seeking the cancellation of the charge, reject the report or order further investigation.

Trial against Singh is yet to begin in both the cases.