Minor Withdraws Sexual Harassment Allegations Against BJP MP And WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

The one minor among seven female wrestlers who have accused Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment has now withdrawn her allegations, according to sources, as reported by the Indian Express.

After two prior statements alleging sexual harassment and stalking, the 17-year-old is said to have recorded a new statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate.

This statement is considered evidence before the court, which may decide if the charges can be pursued. In case of a trial, the statement under Section 164 will take precedence.

According to the Indian Express, the father of the minor who filed the FIR with Delhi Police reported that his daughter was "completely disturbed and cannot be at peace anymore …sexual harassment by the accused (Singh) continues to haunt her."

The minor had given her first statement to a magistrate regarding incidents of sexual harassment she experienced from Singh on 10 May.

Consequently, Singh was charged under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as IPC Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 34, which carry a jail sentence of one to three years.

The POCSO Act governs cases of sexual assault against minors in India. One heinous crime that is addressed therein is aggravated sexual assault, which is punishable by a jail term of up to seven years.

According to Section 9 of the POCSO Act, aggravated sexual assault refers to sexual assault committed by a person of authority or trust against a child.