Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh on Monday pleaded "not guilty" in the sexual harassment case lodged against him by the country's five female wrestlers.
Singh was brought to Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court this afternoon where he said that he is ready to face the trial.
When the judge asked him if he admitted to any fault, Singh said, "Iska koi sawal hi nahi. Galti kiye hi nahi hain toh maane kyun [There's no question of pleading guilty. Why should I admit it if I haven't done anything wrong?]".
Brij Bhushan Singh, through his counsel, denied all the allegations levelled against him and claimed that he did not stay in the same hotel with players in foreign countries.
The court then framed charges against Singh under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment) based on the allegations of five complainants. Additionally, charges were also framed under Section 506 (criminal intimidation) in two separate cases.
The court has also framed charges of criminal intimidation against Singh's former secretary, Vinod Tomar, who also pleaded "not guilty" and demanded a trial in the matter.
"Jhoot hai sara, hamare paas poora evidence. Ghar pe kabhi nai bulaya. Daatna ya dhamkaya bhi nahi [It's all false allegations. We have all the evidence. I never called anyone home, never scolded or threatened anyone]", Tomar said.
After the court hearing, the BJP MP, while speaking to reporters, said that he has all the evidence to prove his innocence. "As of now, charges have been framed against me. They now have to prove it in court and inform about the evidence they have. I have all the evidence of my innocence. All these are false cases," Brij Bhushan Singh said.
