BREAKING - Delhi Court Grants Interim Bail To BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh In Sexual Harassment Case

A Delhi Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal of Rouse Avenue Courts, while granting the interim bail to Singh and his co-accused Vinod Tomar, said the chargesheet has been filed with arrest and the accused "have cooperated with investigation". ACM added that the accused have also appeared before the court without any coercive process.

"The alleged offences are punishable with imprisonment not more than 07 years, the accused person undertake to remain present before this court whenever called for...," it recorded in the order.

While the order further records the Additional PP submitting that "even though the chargesheet has been filed without arrest, he still opposes the bail application", the prosecution before the court orally submitted: “We have not arrested him. We leave it to my lord. Condition must be there... I oppose it with the condition that he shouldn't influence witnesses”.

ACMM said the court is bound to follow the mandate of Supreme Court in Satender Kumar Antil vs CBI "wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court has observed that where the offences are punishable with imprisonment of 7 years or less and the chargesheet has been filed without arrest and the accused has cooperated throughout in the investigation including appearing before Investigating Officer whenever called, the bail applications of such accused on appearance may be decided without the accused being taken in physical custody or by granting interim bail till the bail application is decided."

"Ergo, in view of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in aforementioned judgment, i.e., Satender Antil (Supra), the accused persons are admitted to interim bail till the next date of hearing upon furnishing bail bonds in sum of Rs. 25,000/- each with one surety in like amount," the court said while listing the matter for arguments on bail and further proceedings on July 20.

The judge on July 07 had summoned Singh and co accused Vinod Tomar and directed them to appear before court today.

The Delhi Police had filed the chargesheet last month under Sections 354 (outraging modesty of a woman), 354A (sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code, 1860 against them. However, a cancellation report was filed in the POCSO case registered against Singh by a minor wrestler.

The BJP lawmaker has been accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. The alleged incidents of sexual harassment are said to have occurred between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, at Singh’s official residence and also abroad, according to media reports. 

Title: State Vs. Brij Bhushan Singh & Anr

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