HC asks police to respond to Brij Bhushan’s request for early hearing

The Delhi High Court on Friday (October 18) sought response from the city police and wrestlers on former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh’s plea seeking an early hearing of his petition seeking cancel an FIR lodged against him by several female wrestlers.

Singh sought postponement of the hearing date in the main petition which is fixed for January 13, 2025, on the ground that the case is at the stage of recording the prosecution evidence before the trial court and at the time where the case will be brought before the court. In the High Court, most of the witnesses will be examined.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued a notice to the Delhi Police and the wrestlers regarding the application in which Singh also urged the High Court to direct the trial court not to pursue the criminal case until its pending request is resolved.

The High Court asked the police and the wrestlers to file their responses to the petition and listed it for hearing on December 16.

During the brief hearing, Singh, represented by advocate Rajiv Mohan, argued that being a special court, the trial court disposed of the case on a weekly basis and one of the victims had already been questioned .

Seeking a stay of proceedings before the trial court, the application said if the trial continues, it will cause prejudice and mental agony to Singh, who claims to have a strong case on merits to quash the FIR.

The High Court had earlier issued a notice and sought response from the police and women wrestlers regarding Singh’s petition seeking quashing of the FIR and charges against him in the sexual harassment case filed by several women wrestlers.

Singh, who is also a former BJP MP, was accused of sexual assault last year by several female wrestlers who protested for weeks demanding an investigation against him.

The Delhi Police filed an FIR against him after the Supreme Court intervened in May 2023.