Sexual harassment case: Brij Bhushan claims 'hugging or touching without sexual intent not an offence'

BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India chief who has been accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, has asserted before a Delhi court that hugging or touching a woman without any sexual intent should not be considered an offence. His remarks came as he opposed the framing of charges against him during the court proceedings.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal commenced the hearings on Wednesday to deliberate on whether charges should be framed against Brij Bhushan and his co-accused, suspended WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.

Brij Bhushan's lawyer, Advocate Rajiv Mohan, argued that the allegations were time-barred, and contended, "If we take these allegations, Indian jurisdiction only lies in three of these allegations. The offences committed outside India cannot be tried by the court due to the lack of sanction. Two offences are related to Ashoka Road and Siri Fort. Offence at Siri Fort is only of hugging... Touching a woman without a criminal force or sexual intent is not an offence" Bh

Advocate Rajiv Mohan further claimed that in the context of wrestling, where male coaches are more common and often express joy or anxiety through physical contact, actions like hugging players should not be deemed as offensive.

The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Brij Bhushan Singh on June 15, under sections 354, 354-A, 354-D, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, encompassing assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation.

The court proceedings will resume on Thursday. Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar were granted bail on July 20 with specific conditions, including not leaving the country without court permission and refraining from influencing witnesses.

Also read: ODI World Cup Schedule change: India vs Pakistan and 8 other matches get rescheduled, check full list