Women wrestlers sexual harassment case: Court records statement of referee who witnessed photoshoot in Lucknow

New Delhi [India], October 14 (ANI): The Rouse Avenue court recorded the evidence (statement) of Prosecution Witness Narender, who is a referee and was present during a photoshoot in Lucknow.

One of the complainants has alleged groping during the photoshoot.

Former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar are accused and facing trial in this case.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Priyanka Rajpoot recorded the cross-examination of referee Narender. His evidence has been concluded.

He was cross-examined in women wrestler’s sexual harassment case.

Defence counsel Rajiv Mohan cross-examined Narender.

During his cross-examination, he deposed that he was present during a photo session that took place in Lucknow in March 2022. During the photo shoot, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as well the victim wrestlers were also present.

Defence counsel Rajiv Mohan, during cross-examination, asked him questions about how long he stayed at the place after the incident, which victim had stayed there and how long.

Counsel for the accused also asked the witness whether he contacted or called any of the victims after the photo incident of March 25, 2022, and prior to the recording of his statement by the police.

The prosecution witness was also asked whether he visited or joined the dharna by women wrestlers at the Jantar Mantar in January 2023.

He submitted that neither he visited nor joined Dharna by wrestlers at Jantar Mantar as he was a government servant.

Defence counsel confronted him by showing a Facebook post in which he was visible along with wrestlers. Did you post this photograph on Facebook, counsel asked.

The referee submitted that the photograph was of the Akhada meeting. The same was not posted by him on Facebook, he only shared it.

The court has listed the matter for recording of another witness, coach Jagbeer, on October 19.

Earlier, during arguments on charge, senior advocate Rebecca John, who appeared for victims, referred to the statement of one of the complainants who mentioned an incident that took place in Lucknow during a group photoshoot.