Court records statement of wrestler’s victim

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Updated: Aug 23, 2024 10:49 PM IST

New Delhi (India), August 23 (ANI): The Rouse Avenue court on Friday recorded the statement of a woman wrestler, one of the complainants in the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Her testimony was recorded in a vulnerable witness room.
Additional Chief Justice (ACJ) Priyanka Rajpoot recorded the statement of the victim. Further recording of her statement has been adjourned till September 10.
The victim’s statement was recorded by Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Atul Srivastava.
Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was also present during the hearing.
During the day, the court said that the victim’s statement should be recorded in the vulnerable witness room. Media will not be allowed during the recording of the victim’s statement.

Defence lawyer Rajiv Mohan had objected that he did not want to question the victim through video conference.
He said the videoconferencing cross-examination is only intended for minors and not for adult victims.
The complainants’ counsel, on the other hand, argued that this victim fell squarely within the vulnerable witness provision.
Earlier, DCP New Delhi appeared in court and stated that the security was not withdrawn. There was some miscommunication and that has been rectified.
After recording the statement, DCP joined the proceedings via video conference (VC). When questioned, he indicated that they have no plans to withdraw the security until the testimony is completed.
In January 2023, some female wrestlers protested against Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual exploitation and harassment.
The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, 2023. The case was filed based on a complaint filed by women wrestlers. (ANI)