‘When will Brij Bhushan Singh be arrested,’ asks Congress; targets PM Modi over silence

The Congress said it was ironic that the chargesheet is based on exactly the same allegations that were raised before the oversight committee set up by the government.

“In February, players, athletes, coaches, referees… were summoned by this committee and they made allegations of sexual exploitation and sexual harassment against the WFI chief. But in April, when the oversight committee submitted its report… it may have raised questions on the functioning of the federation… but kept absolutely quiet on allegations of sexual misconduct, did not raise any red flags or even recommend a police probe,” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate told a press conference at the AICC headquarters.

The Indian Express on Tuesday reported on the Delhi Police’s chargesheet which stated that based on the “investigation so far,” of the complaints by six top wrestlers, Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation and stalking. Invoking Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 354 A (sexual harassment), and 354 D (stalking), the chargesheet also flagged that, in one case, Singh’s harassment was “repeated and continuing”.

In two of the six cases, Singh has been booked under Sections 354, 354A and 354D, while four cases are under Sections 354 and 354A — these carry a prison term of up to five years.

“Will the Government continue to remain quiet… Will Brij Bhushan Singh continue to be a member of Parliament of the BJP… Will the BJP continue to offer political patronage, protection and support to the perpetrator of the crime… Why is Prime Minister Modi silent on charges of sexual exploitation levelled against one of his own MPs by decorated sportspersons? When will Brij Bhushan Singh be arrested?” Shrinate asked.

“You and your government are on a test here, not from the Opposition but from India’s daughters,” the Congress spokesperson said.

In a Twitter post, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that going by law and ethics, a person accused of atrocities against women should be removed from his post, face fair investigation and be arrested and punished in the court of law.

“But in the BJP government, why is the one accused of atrocities against women players, who brought laurels to the country, protected and why is the matter being hushed up during investigation? Why is the entire government silent on this matter? Why is the accused still in the BJP and why no action has been taken?” she asked.