Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
16 May 2009
Preceded byBeni Prasad Verma
ConstituencyKaiserganj
In office
2004–2009
Preceded byRizwan Zaheer
Succeeded byConstituency Demolished Now Shravasti
ConstituencyBalrampur
In office
1999–2004
Preceded byKetki Devi Singh
Succeeded byKirti Vardhan Singh
ConstituencyGonda
In office
1991–1996
Preceded byRaja Anand Singh
Succeeded byKetki Devi Singh
ConstituencyGonda
Personal details
Born (1957-01-08) 8 January 1957 (age 67)
Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party (1991-2008, 2014-Present)
Samajwadi Party (2008-2014)
Spouse(s)Ketki Devi Singh
Children4, including Prateek Bhushan Singh
ResidenceGonda
Websitebrijbhushansingh.in
As of 12 April, 2010
Source: [1]

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (born 8 January 1957) is an Indian politician[1] who is serving as Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[2] He is the current president of the Wrestling Federation of India.[3]

His political career is marked by many controversies, as he was one of the prominent names who got arrested in the demolition of the Babri Masjid case and was also booked under the anti-terrorism law TADA for harbouring the shooters of Dawood Ibrahim gang.[4] However, he was later acquitted for lack of evidence.[5][6]

He is currently at the centre of the accusations of sexual harassment by India's top female wrestlers, wherein 7 female wrestlers including 1 minor have testified against him in an FIR.[7][8] These wrestlers include Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, in the ongoing wrestlers' protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.[9][10]

Early life and education[edit]

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was born on 8 January 1957 in the Rajput family of Shri Jagdamba Sharan Singh and Smt. Pyari Devi Singh.[11][12][13] He studied law at Saket P.G. College in Ayodhya.[6] He married to Ketki Devi Singh in 1981 and have three sons and a daughter. In 2004, their elder son Shakti Sharan Singh committed suicide at the age of 23. Reportedly, he shot himself with a licensed pistol and blamed his father's selfish attitude in a suicide note.[14][15]

As per police records, 38 criminal cases were lodged against Brij Bhushan Singh between 1974 and 2007.[16][17] In particular, the FIRs were filed under the stringent Gangsters[18][19] and Goonda Acts[20][21] for various charges including theft, dacoity, murder, criminal intimidation, attempt to murder, and kidnapping, though he was acquitted in most of the cases as per his election affidavit.[22][23][24]

Political career[edit]

He is a six-time Member of Parliament, five times from BJP and one time from Samajwadi Party.[6] In 1991 he was elected to the 10th Lok Sabha from Gonda constituency in Uttar Pradesh as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. He was re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 from the same constituency and in 2004, he was re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha from Balrampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh state on the BJP ticket. On 20 July 2008, he joined the Samajwadi Party after BJP expelled him for cross-voting in the parliament during the 2008 Lok Sabha vote of confidence.[6][25] In 2009, he was re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha from Kaiserganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh state. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party months before the 16th general election and is currently a member of 17th Lok Sabha from BJP. He is the President of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Criminal background[edit]

Singh once faced as many as 38 cases against him under various charges including theft, criminal intimidation, murder, attempt to murder, rioting, kidnapping etc.[26]

Controversies[edit]

Legal issues[edit]

In 1992 he was involved in Babri Masjid Demolition Case, due to which he was arrested by CBI along with 39 other people. He was the prime suspect but was later acquitted by the Supreme Court of India in 2020. Later, according to The Wire, he boasted, "During the movement, I was the first person from the area to be arrested by Mulayam Singh. I was also the first person arrested by the CBI after the controversial structure was demolished."[6]

He was charged with the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act in 1993 for allegedly helping associates of Dawood Ibrahim who allegedly organized the J.J Hospital Shootout in Mumbai. He was later acquitted after spending several months in jail.[27][6]

Admitting to committing murder[edit]

In a video interview with the web portal The Lallantop in 2022, Brij Bhushan stated, "I have committed a murder in the past. Whatever people may say, I did commit a murder. I immediately shot and killed the person who had shot Ravinder dead". Ravinder Singh was his close friend.[6][28]

As President of WFI[edit]

After he became the president of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), in an interview with The Indian Express, he said, "They [wrestlers] are strong boys and girls. You need someone strong to control them. Is there anyone stronger than me here?"[6][29]

In 2021, during a junior wrestling tournament, he slapped a wrestler on stage, and was caught on camera.[6][30]

Allegations of sexually assaulting female wrestlers[edit]

Main article: 2023 Indian wrestlers' protest

In Jan 2023, a group of Olympians and international wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and others organized a sit-in demanding disbanding of the federation due to alleged sexual harassment of female wrestlers by Brij Bhushan. The protests resumed in April 2023 due to government inaction. The protestors demanded police file an FIR against Brij Bhushan and his immediate arrest. The incidents of sexual harassment cited by protestors ranged from 2012 to 2022.[31][32][33]

On 28 April 2023, only after the intervention of the Supreme Court, did the Delhi Police registered two FIRs against him. One of the FIRs was registered under the POCSO Act (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) for offences against a minor. A second FIR was registered on similar grounds on the complaint of the remaining 6 adult female wrestlers.[34]

According to a report by the Indian Express, two female wrestler complainants described the way Brij Bhushan used to touch their breasts and stomach sexually on the pretext of checking their breath, in a police complaint on 21 April 2023. One of these women alleged that Brij Bhushan lifted her training jersey without her consent in 2018.[35][36]

Vinesh Phogat, one of the leading protestors, also alleged that Brij Bhushan "mentally harassed and tortured" her for missing out on a medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[37]

On May 12, The Delhi Police recorded a statement from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh regarding the sexual harassment charges levelled against him by female wrestlers[38] and stated that a female DCP would head a SIT (Special Investigation Team) of 10 people against him.[39]

The Allegations[edit]

The FIRs in the case mention allegations against Brij Bhushan and WFI secretary Vinod Tomar. The allegations include demanding sexual favours for professional assistance in at least two cases, at least 15 incidents of sexual harassment which include inappropriate touching by running hands over breasts, touching the navel, several instances of intimidation including stalking — and a shared sense of fear and trauma.[40][41][42][43] The incidents range from years 2012 to 2022 at different places at restaurant, in WFI office, at tournaments and at a warm-up. Incidents happened during domestic as well as international tournaments abroad.[41][44] Vinesh Phogat, who has won multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships, claimed she was "mentally harassed, tortured and threatened to be killed" by Brij Bhushan for complaining against him to the then prime minister Narendra Modi and sports minister Anurag Thakur. She was made to face widespread media scrutiny under the guise of missing out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.[45] [46][47]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Ara, Ismat (7 February 2023). "Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: The bahubali neta". frontline.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Kumar, Mayank (21 January 2023). "BJP MP accused of harassing wrestlers is a controversial bahubali with a wide fanbase". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  3. ↑ emmanuel. "Wrestling Federation of India". United World Wrestling. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Misra, Shubhangi (19 January 2023). "'Don of all dons, murderer, wrestling reformer' — WFI chief & MP Brij Bhushan's colourful life". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Even a murder case against Brij Bhushan: Kapil Sibal to Supreme Court". Hindustan Times. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Goswami, Deepak (25 April 2023). "Who Is BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, at the Heart of Serious Charges By Wrestlers?". The Wire. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "India's top female wrestlers are camping on the streets of New Delhi. Here's why". CNN. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Why are top Indian wrestlers protesting on the streets?". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (28 April 2023). "Delhi Police register FIRs in wrestlers' case". www.thehindu.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  10. ↑ Anand, Nisha (25 April 2023). "Who is BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh, wrestling body chief accused of sexual harassment". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Members: Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Sharma, Supriya. "In Uttar Pradesh, big dons aren't afraid to cry in public". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "BJP MP accused of harassing wrestlers is a controversial bahubali with a wide fanbase". The Hindu. 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the controversial WFI president". The Week. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "In death, a signal to a VIP father - Frustrated by indifference, MP's son kills himself". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "Even a murder case against Brij Bhushan: Kapil Sibal to Supreme Court". Hindustan Times. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  17. ↑ Vaishnav, Milan (24 January 2017). When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-22474-0. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  18. ↑ "सासद ने कहा गाधी नहीं माफिया हूं मैं -". Jagran (in हिन्दी). Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  19. ↑ "I am not Gandhi, I am a mafia man: SP MP". News18. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "A Wrestle For Justice At Jantar Mantar". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Brij Bhushan shares space with Advani and Dawood in CBI files". The Times of India. 4 May 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  22. ↑ Salaria, Shikha (8 May 2023). "History sheeter with no convictions — muscle power & the alleged crimes of Brij Bhushan". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "BJP MP Brij Bhushan, two others acquitted in 29-year-old case". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  24. ↑ "Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- KAISERGANJ(UTTAR PRADESH) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "Bal Thackeray's Legacy: How 'Reluctant Politician' Uddhav Has Mastered The Art Of Politics As Raj Looks The Other Way". Outlook India. 20 June 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  26. ↑ "History sheeter with no convictions — muscle power & the alleged crimes of Brij Bhushan". The Print. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  27. ↑ Ranjan, Mukesh (29 January 2023). "Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh no stranger to controversies". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Watch: When WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on camera that he murdered a person". www.dailyo.in. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  29. ↑ Manral, Mahender Singh; Vasavda, Mihir (24 April 2023). "Sexual harassment: Wrestlers cite incidents dating back to 2012, allege some took place at Brij Bhushan's MP bungalow". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  30. ↑ "Ranchi: BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loses cool, slaps young wrestler on stage | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  31. ↑ "Head of Indian wrestling federation accused of sexual harassment". The Guardian. Reuters in Delhi. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  32. ↑ Manral, Mahender Singh; Vasavda, Mihir (24 April 2023). "Sexual harassment: Wrestlers cite incidents dating back to 2012, allege some took place at Brij Bhushan's MP bungalow". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  33. ↑ "Indian wrestlers demand arrest of federation chief at sit-in". Al Jazeera. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  34. ↑ "After SC prodding, 2 FIRs; wrestlers say won't rest until WFI chief arrested". 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  35. ↑ Manral, Mahender Singh; Koshie, Nihal (7 May 2023). "On pretext of checking breath, Brij Bhushan touched breast, stomach: 2 wrestlers to police". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  36. ↑ Dhar, Aniruddha (7 May 2023). "WFI's Brij Bhushan touched inappropriately, 2 wrestlers tell Delhi Police: Report". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  37. ↑ Sud, Vedika; Rhea, Mogul; Farooqui, Sania (4 May 2023). "India's top female wrestlers are camping on the streets of New Delhi. Here's why". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  38. ↑ "SIT formed to probe sexual harassment charges against Brij Bhushan Singh, Delhi Police tell court". scroll.in. 12 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "A female DCP to head a SIT team of 10 people against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh". www.hamaribaat.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  40. ↑ Sinha, Jignasa (2 June 2023). "Demands for sexual favours, at least 10 cases of molestation detailed in 2 FIRs against Brij Bhushan". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Mandhani, Apoorva (1 June 2023). "'Left our rooms in groups to avoid being alone with him' — what FIRs against Brij Bhushan allege". ThePrint. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  42. ↑ Tewari, Samridhi (2 June 2023). "In FIR, wrestlers narrate traumatic experiences of sexual harassment by WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  43. ↑ Manral, Mahender Singh (2 June 2023). "He offered to buy me supplements if I gave in to sexual advances: wrestler". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  44. ↑ Manral, Mahender Singh; Koshie, Nihal (7 May 2023). "On pretext of checking breath, Brij Bhushan touched breast, stomach: 2 wrestlers to police". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  45. ↑ Sud, Vedika; Mogul, Rhea; Farooqui, Sania (4 May 2023). "India's top female wrestlers are camping on the streets of New Delhi. Here's why". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  46. ↑ "Vinesh Phogat Gets Death Threats, Accuses WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh For Sexually Exploiting Women Wrestlers". www.india.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  47. ↑ Khare, Vineet (4 May 2023). "Vinesh Phogat: India wrestler says she told PM Modi about harassment". BBC. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
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