POCSO Charges Against WFI Chief May Be Dropped After Victim’s Fresh Statement

New Delhi: In a new turn of events, the POCSO charges against Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Sing may be dropped. The ‘minor’ wrestler who made allegations of sexual harassment against the Federation chief has recorded a fresh statement in court. In an interview with NDTV, her father said she had changed the age-related bit in her statement, which means she was not underage at that time. However, her complaint of sexual harassment remains as it was.

Her complaint had led to the filing of a case under POCSO, the stringent law against sexual assault on children against the BJP MP. With the change in age status, the POCSO charges against the Wrestling Federation chief can be dropped. While the penalty under Section 10 of POCSO under which he was booked carries a jail term of seven years, the charges under the relevant sections of IPC — outraging the modesty of a woman is a two-year jail term.

On April 29, four months after the wrestlers started their campaign against him, two cases were filed. Altogether, seven wrestlers had accused him of sexual harassment and he has one case against him under the Indian Penal Code.

The police are expected to complete their investigation and file a chargesheet in the case by June 15. This was part of a proposal given to the wrestlers on Wednesday evening by the government.

The written proposal was given by Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur after a six-hour discussion with Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh. The wrestlers have said their will give their response after getting feedback of the people and organisations that support them.