Rush Hour: Brij Bhushan acquitted in sexual assault case, Prashant Kishor wins Bankipur and more

A Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed against him by six women wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat, one of the wrestlers who had taken part in protests seeking Sharan’s resignation, said that the complainants were disappointed with the court’s decision and would appeal against the order.

The Bharatiya Janata Party MP said that the judgement was a matter of happiness for him and his supporters. “On the first day, when my first statement came, I had said that if any verdict or any charge is proven, I will hang myself,” he said.

In January 2023, several Indian wrestlers, including medallists Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia launched a protest against Singh, accusing him of intimidation and sexual harassment.

Seven complainants, including a minor, accused the BJP leader of demanding sexual favours for professional help on at least two occasions, and also reported 15 incidents of alleged molestation and other forms of sexual harassment. He was later cleared with respect to allegations made by one of the women. Read on.

Jan Suraaj party chief Prashant Kishor won Bihar’s Bankipur bye-poll on his electoral debut. The bye-election became necessary after the MLA, Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin, resigned after becoming...

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