Relief for Former Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan received relief from a Delhi court on Monday after the court dismissed a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case filed against him. The court accepted a report submitted by the Delhi Police on June 15, 2023, recommending cancellation of the case.

The case was initially filed based on allegations made by several female wrestlers, who accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI chief. One of the complainants was a minor, leading to the registration of a case under the POCSO Act.

Following an investigation, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet based on the complaints of six female wrestlers. However, in regard to the case involving the minor, the police submitted a report to the court recommending its cancellation. This recommendation was based on the statements of the minor complainant and her father, which, according to the police, did not substantiate the allegations.

The court subsequently issued notices to the minor and her father, seeking their response to the police report. In August 2023, both appeared before the court and expressed no objection to the cancellation of the case. Consequently, on Monday, the Delhi court issued an order dismissing the POCSO case against Brij Bhushan.

Reacting to the court's verdict, Brij Bhushan's son, Prateek Bhushan Singh, expressed hope that the remaining sexual harassment cases against his father would also be proven false.