Brij Bhushan Threatened Wrestlers, Ordered Them To Keep Shut: Delhi Police

New Delhi: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh allegedly threatened wrestlers and asked them to keep quiet.

This was part of Delhi Police’s submissions to Rouse Avenue Court during hearing in the sexual harassment case by female wrestlers against the BJP MP.

Delhi Police started afresh its argument on whether to frame charges against Brij Bhushan.

“Aage kushti khelni hai toh chup rehna… mei kisi ka career bana sakta hu bigad bhi sakta hu (If you want to continue wrestling then stay quiet… If I can make someone’s career then I can destroy it as well),” the Delhi Police counsel Atul Srivastava read out statements from the wrestlers who had accused the ex-wrestling body chief of harassment.

Srivastava made the point that Brij Bhushan’s threatening comments was an offence under Section 506 of IPC which deals with criminal intimidation.

Srivastava cited another complainant’s statement and said that Brij Bhushan asked her, ‘Mei dhoti kurta mei kaisa lag raha tha? (How am I looking in my dhoti-kurta attire?)’

“Is this a question to be asked to a girl,” the Delhi Police counsel asked the court.

Only women were allowed to enter the office of co-accused Vinod Tomar, former assistant secretary of the WFI, another complainant deposed, saying that doors to Tomar’s office were kept closed and he stopped any male wrestler from entering.

“This shows (the) intention,” Srivastava added.

Referring to an incident of Brij Bhushan hugging a wrestler and then claiming it to be a ‘fatherly act’, Delhi Police lawyer said: The guilty mind is always conscious. Why did he give this explanation?”

Brij Bhushan skipped Thursday’s hearing after the court allowed his exemption which was sought due to a social obligation.

Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan on June 15 under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Brij Bhushan was granted bail while Tomar was suspended on July 20 last year.