Page 4 - Sexual Harassment Case

Haryana min Sandeep Singh furnishes bail bonds in sexual harassment case

Haryana minister Sandeep Singh appeared before a court here to furnish bail bonds on Saturday, a day after he was granted anticipatory bail in connection with a sexual harassment case registered against him last year on the complaint of a junior woman coach. Singh appeared before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Rahul Garg to furnish the bail bonds, said his counsel Siddhant Pandit, who was present in the court with the minister's main counsel Rabindra Pandit. The court of Additional Sessions judge Rajeev K Beri had on Friday allowed Singh's anticipatory bail plea. The court had directed that the accused shall surrender before the trial court/illaqa magistrate, Chandigarh within 10 days from Friday and furnish personal bonds with one like surety each of Rs 1 lakh to the satisfaction of the said court. The Chandigarh police had filed a charge sheet in the case last month, nearly eight months after the registration of the case. The case stems from allegations of sexu

Wrestlers' sexual harassment case: Delhi court to hear matter on Aug 26

A Delhi court will resume hearing on August 26 the arguments on whether to frame charges against former WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in an alleged sexual harassment case lodged against him by women wrestlers. The matter, which was scheduled to be taken up for hearing on Saturday, was adjourned for a week because the judge hearing it was on leave. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal had on July 20 granted bail to Singh, along with suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against the six-time MP 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 Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Court to start hearing arguments on charge against WFI ex-chief on Aug 9

A Delhi court will start hearing on August 9 arguments on the charges likely to be framed against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal on Thursday fixed August 9, 10 and 11 for arguments on charge after Advocate Rajeev Mohan, appearing for Singh, submitted verification of the documents provided by Delhi police, including the charge sheet, are complete. The counsel said though he has sought better pictures/copy of certain documents, he can take their soft copies from the Investigation Officer (IO). During the proceedings, Singh and co-accused and suspended WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar appeared before the court. The judge had on July 28 granted Singh exemption from personal appearance for the day after his lawyer submitted he was unable to appear before the court as he was busy discharging his responsibiliti

ICCs against sexual harassment of women at workplace in all forces: Centre

The Internal Complaints Committees for the prevention of sexual harassment of women at the workplace are functional in all forces, PSUs, ordnance boards, autonomous bodies, subordinate offices and all other organisations under the Ministry of Defence, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said this in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether it is a fact that under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, ministries are mandated to have an Internal Committee, to which he replied in the affirmative. "Internal Complaint's Committees for prevention of sexual harassment of women at workplace are functional in all forces, PSUs, Ordnance Boards, Autonomous Bodies, Subordinate Offices and all other organisations under Ministry of Defence," he said in his response. On the number of cases referred to the internal complaints committee in the last three years, he said, the figure stood at "1

No one from my family is contesting WFI polls: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Outgoing Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said no member of his family will contest the upcoming elections of the national sports body but reiterated that his group has the support of 22 state associations. BJP MP Brij Bhushan had claimed that 22 out of 25 state units attended a meeting hosted by him on Sunday, adding that "his candidates" for various posts for the federation elections on August 12 will be announced on Monday. Brij Bhushan visited the Indian Olympic Association office here on the last day of nomination for WFI elections on Monday. "Today is the last day of nominations, members from 22 state associations were here and they came to meet and are now going for filing their nominations. There is no one from my family," he said. "Let the elections happen first and then whoever wins will do their work." Brij Bhushan, against whom the country's six top wrestlers including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Asian G

Constitute sexual harassment probe committees: NMC asks health institutions

The National Medical Commission has directed all health institutions to constitute sexual harassment probe committees in compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. In a letter to the institutions and medical colleges, the Commission referred to the directions of the Supreme Court regarding the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013. "Accordingly, all the medical colleges are requested to comply with the directions of the Supreme Court as under. "All health institutions/medical colleges are directed to undertake a time bound exercise to verify as to whether the medical colleges/institutions has constituted ICCS/LCS/ICs, as they case may be and that the composition of the said committees are strictly in terms of the provision of the POSH Act," the Commission said. "The institutions shall ensure that necessary information regarding the constitution and composition of the ICCS/LCS/IC

3 NSFs reported cases of sexual harassment in last 3 years: Anurag Thakur

The Sports Ministry on Thursday said the POSH Act, 2013 (Sexual Harassment at Workplace) is applicable to all National Sports Federations and in the last three years, only four NSFs have reported complaints of such nature. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made the disclosure during a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. "Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are applicable to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), as applicable to any entity defined in the Act. The NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. "The Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time-to-time on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports," Thakur wrote in his reply during the question hour in Rajya Sabha. "Based on the information provided about complaints of sexual harassment during the last three years and the current year by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the presently recognised NSFs, fou

Delhi court grants regular bail to outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to outgoing WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. The court also allowed the bail application of suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. I am granting bail on a bond of Rs 25,000 each with certain conditions, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal said. The metropolitan court directed the accused not to leave the country without its prior permission and not offer any inducement to witnesses in the case. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against the six-time MP 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 Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court had earlier in the day reserved its order on the bail applications of Singh and Tomar. The judge reserved the order after hearing ...

Delhi court reserves order on regular bail application of Brij Bhushan

A Delhi court on Thursday reserved for later in the day the order on regular bail application of outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the women wrestlers sexual harassment case. The judge reserved order after hearing arguments from counsel appearing for the accused and the prosecution, as well as the complainants. Will pass order at 4 pm," the judge said.

Delhi court grants interim bail to Brij Bhushan in sexual harassment case

The court passed the order after the public prosecutor representing Delhi police submitted even though the charge sheet has been filed without arrest he was still opposed to the bail applications

Women wrestlers allege oversight panel biased towards Brij Bhushan

The women wrestlers have questioned the intent of the oversight panel that probed the sexual harassment accusations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and alleged that it was biased towards him, said the charge-sheet filed by the Delhi Police in the sensational case. The outgoing WFI chief is scheduled to appear before a trial court on Tuesday in pursuance of summons issued against him and the Federation's Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar. The government-formed six-member panel, led by the legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom, had submitted its report to the government but it was not made public. The complainants, in their separate statements, alleged that the panel appeared biased towards Singh, who is also a BJP MP. The charge-sheet that runs into 1599 pages, contained statements of 44 witnesses, besides six statements by the complainants which were recorded under CrPC 164. "Even after giving my statement before the (oversight) committee whenever I visited the Federation

Robust system to address gender-based misconduct imperative: SC judge

It is imperative to establish a robust mechanism to address gender-based misconduct as the creation of an inclusive environment sends the message that women in sports deserve respect and protection from discrimination and harassment, Supreme Court judge Hima Kohli said. Justice Kohli spoke at a national seminar on 'Women Empowerment through Sports' on Friday. She called for policy reforms to promote women's empowerment through sports and said such policies should establish mechanisms to address gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment in the field of sports. "While judicial pronouncements serve as guiding lights, effective policy reforms are equally essential in promoting women's empowerment through sports," she said in her inaugural speech at the event organised by the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. "These policies should examine various facets, including ensuring equal opportunities, providing financial backup and establishing mechanisms for reporting and ...

SC refuses plea to protect sexual harassment complainants, witnesses

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to protect complainants and witnesses in sexual harassment at workplace cases from victimisation or retaliation by accused persons or organisations involved. A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha noted that the top court had in 2020 refused to interfere with a similar prayer. The top court said the petitioner should give specific examples to support her case. "This court, by its order dated January 6, 2020, had not interfered with the Delhi High Court dismissing a PIL for the same prayer. The petitioner stated that she made a representation to authorities with a reminder. We leave it open to the petitioner to approach the authorities with a representation so that a decision can be taken if the grievance needs to be looked into. Let the grievance be looked at an appropriate level," the bench said. The top court was hearing a plea filed by legal professional Sunita Thawani seeking

HC to pass order on cognisance of chargesheet against Brij Bhushan on Jul 7

A Delhi court on Tuesday posted for July 7 the pronouncement on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the Delhi police against BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, who was scheduled to pass the order on Saturday, noted the submission of the city police that its probe is still in progress and a supplementary charge sheet is likely to be filed. However, since FSL report and report on CDR (call detail record) is awaited it is likely to take time. Put up for consideration for July 7, the judge said.

Wrestlers move Delhi court, seek copy of charge sheet against Brij Bhushan

The female wrestlers, who have accused outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment, moved a Delhi court on Monday seeking copy of the charge sheet filed against him. The city police had filed a charge sheet against Singh, also a BJP MP, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC on June 15. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, who is scheduled to take up the charge sheet for consideration tomorrow, directed the lawyer for the complainants to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency. The charge sheet also named Vinod Tomar, the suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), for offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354-A and 506

ACMM court to hear sexual harassment case against outgoing WFI chief

The New Delhi Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Thursday assigned the sexual harassment case lodged by six female wrestlers against BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to a city court, already hearing a related matter, for taking forward the proceedings. CMM Mahima Rai Singh delegated to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal the matter related to alleged sexual harassment of the women wrestlers whose cause was taken up by decorated grapplers like olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat. The protest by celebrity grapplers drew support from a host of opposition parties and farmer organisations. The city police had filed a charge sheet in the case against Singh on June 15 for the alleged offences of sexual harassment and stalking. CMM Mahima Rai Singh sent the matter and the charge sheet to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, after taking into accou

Under a third of sexual harassment cases end up in conviction, shows data

POCSO cases also show few convictions, high pendency

Police charge sheet against WFI chief govt's attempt to save him: Tikait

The Delhi Police's charge sheet pertaining to alleged sexual harassment of wrestlers by BJP leader and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is the government's plan to save him, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said on Thursday. Tikait, an influential leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said the farmer community will continue supporting the protesting wrestlers. The BKU has been supporting the the country's top grapplers in their fight against the BJP leader. The police on Thursday recommended dropping the stringent POCSO case against Singh, but charged him with sexual harassment and stalking six women wrestlers. Singh has so far denied all charges against him. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) entails a minimum imprisonment of three years, depending on what section the crime falls in. The group of wrestlers has been protesting for months, what else can they do?... And the government saves its men The whole plan was to save him (Singh). The ...

What will be the outcome in wrestlers' harassment case: Bail or Arrest?

The charges against Brij Bhushan under various sections of the IPC raise questions about whether the accused will be apprehended

Delhi Police chargesheets WFI chief, seeks cancellation of minor's case

The police also sought cancellation of the complaint filed by the minor wrestler against Singh as the police said that no corroborative evidence was found