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Journalism of Courage
Fearing that Delhi Police may not conduct a proper investigation after the two separate FIRs alleging sexual harassment by Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the victims have moved the magistrate court at the Capital’s Rouse Avenue for a court-monitored probe.
“We have moved the magistrate court (Rouse Avenue) for monitoring the investigation in cases of two FIRs registered at the Connaught Place police station. One application made on behalf of major complainants has been entertained and the status report summoned. The other complaint, moved on behalf of the minor, has been referred by the court at Rouse Avenue to the High Court of Delhi to seek guidance in the matter because there is no one magistrate court that can deal with the POCSO case as well as a case involving an MLA or an MP,” Narender Hooda, senior advocate in the Supreme Court and counsel for the wrestlers, told The Indian Express.
“Since in this case, the accused is a Member of Parliament, the designated court to deal with the case is Rouse Avenue, but the special designated court for dealing with POCSO cases is Patiala House. In view of this, the matter has been referred to the Delhi High Court and it is coming up for hearing on Tuesday.”
Hooda said a court-monitored probe was important because of who the accused is.
“Since the accused is a Member of Parliament of the ruling party, there is genuine apprehension that police may not proceed in the manner it may proceed against any other accused. So that is why we are requesting the High Court to monitor how the investigating officer is moving in this case.”
