The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted time to former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to submit a note on contentions seeking quashing of FIR, charges framed against him in sexual harassment case lodged by several women wrestlers.

The HC refused to provide any immediate relief to Brij Bhushan.

Singh’s petition sought to contest the continuation of these proceedings against him. He has challenged the FIR, the chargesheet, and the trial court’s order related to the framing of charges in the sexual harassment case lodged by six women wrestlers.

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The former BJP MP is facing charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of women.

While posting the matter for next hearing on September 26, a bench of Justice Neena Bansal described Bhushan’s plea as an “oblique way”. “There can’t be an omnibus order on everything. If you wanted to challenge everything, you should have done…. (before the trial had commenced) Once the trial has commenced and charges have been framed.. this is nothing but an oblique way,” the judge said.

While filing the plea, Singh contended that the investigation was done in a biased manner as only the version of the victims, who were interested in taking revenge against him, was considered. He claimed in his plea that he had been falsely implicated in the case.

Earlier on May 21, the trial court framed charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women against Singh.

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The Delhi Police had filed an FIR against Singh after the intervention of the Supreme Court in May 2023.

After months of protests by several grapplers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, Singh was removed as the president of the wrestling federation. In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP denied a ticket to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. However, his son was fielded in his place who won the Lok Sabha seat from BJP.

(With inputs from PTI)