The former Haryana Minister, Sandeep Singh is facing formal charges in a sexual harassment case, which was booked by Chandigard Police Department on 31st December 2022. The complaint was filed by junior athletics coach for allegedly making advances towards her and trying to abuse her at his official residence. 

The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Rahul Garg has framed charges based on allegations made by a woman coach. Mr.Singh is charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include Section 354 for assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty; Section 354A for sexual harassment; and Section 354B for assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe. He also faces charges under Section 506 for criminal intimidation and Section 509 for acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

The court's decision to frame these charges was followed by the dismissal of a plea by the complainant's lawyer, Advocate Deepanshu Bansal, who had requested the inclusion of Section 376, related to rape. Additionally, Mr. Singh’s application to be discharged from the case was rejected, meaning that the trial will proceed on the charges currently framed.

The court has set August 17 as the date for the next hearing.
 

By Asmi Desai, Law Intern