Soon after a Delhi court ordered framing of charges against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case, Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik voiced their support for the development.
Both Malik and Punia alongside wrestler Vinesh Phogat were at the forefront of the protests demanding action against Singh in relat꧅ion to the sexual harassment allegations by multiple women wrestlers.
Punia called the framing of charges against the incumbent BJP MP a big win for the strug🍌gles of women wrestlers.
"Charges have been framed against Brij Bhushan. Thanks to the honourable court. This is a big victory for the struggle of women wrestlers. The dauꦫghters of the country have had to go through su🔯ch a difficult time, but this decision will give relief," he said.
Punia, a bronze☂ medalist at theꦿ Tokyo Olympics, also targeted the trolls saying: "Those who trolled the women wrestlers should also be ashamed."
Malik, who as one of India's only two players to win a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said that the development regarding the framing of charges against Singh was "a ꦓsmall step towards victory".
"This definitely is a small step towards victory. It feels nice that Brij Bhushan is be▨ing held accountable for the harassment of young female 🧸wrestlers for so many years. We will continue this battle until final justice is delivered and he is punished," Malik, who retired during the protests, told IANS
A Delhi court on Friday ordered framing of sexual harassment and other charges against former Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case lodged by female wrestlers, observing there was "sufficient evide🦩nce" against him.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Priyanka Rajpoot ordered framing of charges against Singh, a multiple-term Lok Sabha MP, unꦛder sections 354 (assault or criminal foꦚrce to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
“There is sufficient evidence to frame charges against the accuꦐsed,” the judge s💮aid.
The court, however, discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six𒅌 women wrestlers, citing lack of sufficient evidence in the complaint.
The court will fܫormally frame the ch✤arges on May 21.
It also ordered framing of charge♐s against co-accused and former WFI assista💙nt secretary Vinod Tomar in the case.
With PTI Inputs
