Delhi Police SIT Likely To Submit Investigation Report In Court By Next Week: Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case

Officials said on Wednesday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Delhi Police, which is looking into allegations of sexual harassment against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, is likely to submit its investigation report in the two cases against him to the court by the end of next week.

More than 180 people have been questioned by the SIT as part of its inquiry so far, according to Delhi Police authorities.

Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, as well as Asian Games gold medalist Vinesh Phogat, had been protesting against Singh and calling for his arrest for allegedly harassing seven female wrestlers, including a minor.

The protesting wrestlers met with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday, and after receiving his assurances that a charge sheet against Singh would be filed by then and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections would take place by the end of the month, they decided to put an end to their agitation until June 15.

“The investigation report related to the two cases with all the evidence collected so far will be submitted in the court by next week. Currently, the investigation is underway and more statements are being recorded,” a police official said.

According to the official, the SIT has so far interrogated 180 people, including the complainants, witnesses, Singh’s coworkers, employees, staffers, allies, and family members.

According to him, these individuals were questioned regarding the complaints made by the complainants and the specific incidences detailed in the two FIRs.

They were also examined to know about Singh’s attitude and his behaviour with his colleagues, associates and female wrestlers and to ascertain the timeline of his official and personal visits on certain dates to corroborate the complainants’ claims, he said.

If needed, the police may also revisit Singh’s residences in Delhi and Gonda to collect more evidence, he added.

The official said the case is very sensitive and the investigation is being carried out using all technical tools. Call detail records are being analysed, and videos and photos collected as part of the investigation are being thoroughly examined, he said.

The Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR relates to allegations by the minor wrestler and has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the second is related to outraging modesty.

The FIRs narrate several alleged instances of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade.

Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was being “framed”.

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