Sexual harassment charge-sheet against WFI: Delhi Police trying to protect Brij Bhushan: Congress

NEW DELHI, June 15: Congress today alleged that the charge-sheet filed by the Delhi Police (DP) against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was aimed more at protecting him than doing justice with the victims. The party also questioned the dropping of charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) against Singh after the father of the minor complainant withdrew the complaint on her behalf. The party however expressed hope and confidence that the country’s judiciary will do justice in the matter.

Addressing a press conference here today, after the Delhi Police filed the charge-sheet, Congress Spokesperson and Chairperson of the Social Media and Digital Platforms, AICC Ms Supriya Shrinate said that of the 1000 pages in the charge-sheet, about 500 pages aimed at providing clean chit to the main perpetrator.

The Congress Spokesperson said, from day one, there were attempts at protecting the accused. Otherwise, she added, anyone accused under POCSO, has to be arrested, according to the law, so that he does not tamper with the evidence or pressurize the complainant.

In this case, she pointed out, the accused was not only allowed to roam freely, but also allowed to give interviews and hold public rallies. What to speak of arresting him, he was not even questioned for once, she pointed out.

Ms Shrinate asked how a minor could get justice in this case when an entire system, consisting of the police, the MPs, the ministers and agencies, was trying to protect the accused. What chance of getting any justice did that girl have against such a powerful person, she asked.

Holding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for “complicity and silence” to protect the accused, she disclosed that it was on August 17, 2021 that Vinesh Phogat had told him (the PM) about the sexual harassment incidents. The Prime Minister, she added, had assured of action and even told her (Phogat) that she will receive a telephone call from the sports ministry. She is still waiting for that telephone call, the Congress leader said.

Expressing complete confidence in the country’s judiciary, Ms Shrinate said, “we are hopeful that the courts will take cognizance of matter, that the courts will take cognizance of the fact that for 45 days the MP was not questioned even once, that the courts will take cognizance of the fact that statements made before the magistrate were changed twice, that courts will take cognizance that decorated athletes of the country were brutally beaten up by the Delhi police and dragged on the streets of Delhi and the government kept absolutely silent”.

She said, the reality of the matter is that the Delhi Police along with their Master in Chief Amit Shah stand completely exposed today. More than that, she added, “But the man who stands exposed completely before the country is India’s elected PM Shri Narendra Modi for his complicity, for his silence and for the patronage he offers to the perpetrators of crime. “