New Delhi [India]: The Patiala House Court has postponed its decision on the cancellation report filed by the Delhi Police in a POCSO case involving former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The case was initiated following allegations from a minor female wrestler, but the victim later withdrew her statement.
Key Details:
- Hearing Deferred: Special POCSO Judge Gomati Manocha, who was on leave, deferred the matter to January 16, 2024. The hearing will now be under the “clarification” category.
- Background:
- The Delhi Police filed a cancellation report on June 15, 2023, citing the minor wrestler’s retraction.
- The minor wrestler and her father appeared in court earlier and stated they were satisfied with the investigation, offering no objection to the cancellation report.
- On August 1, 2023, the court had reserved its order after hearing the responses of the complainant and her father.
Other Proceedings:
- The case had been lodged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, but the 500-page cancellation report filed by the Delhi Police suggests no substantial evidence to proceed.
- In a separate case, a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar for sexual harassment was filed in the Rouse Avenue Court, which ordered charges to be framed against both individuals.
In-Camera Proceedings:
The hearing has been conducted in closed court to maintain confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Next Steps:
The court will revisit the cancellation report in January 2024. Meanwhile, the sexual harassment case in the Rouse Avenue Court will proceed with the framing of charges against the accused.