Complainant in sexual harassment case against Sandeep Singh seeks day-to-day trial

A woman coach who has alleged sexual harassment by Haryana Minister Sandeep Singh has submitted a request in a local court, seeking a day-to-day trial in the case. Sandeep Singh, a former captain of the Indian hockey team, was booked by Chandigarh Police on December 31, 2022, following a complaint from the junior athletics coach. He relinquished his sports portfolio on January 1, 2023, amid the allegations.

Legal proceedings and sccusations

The final report in this case consists of 700 pages, with charges filed under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 354 (outraging a woman's modesty), 354A, 354B, 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

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The complainant's counsel filed multiple applications, one of which pertains to transferring the case to a court of session for trial. This move is based on the accusation of attempted rape by the accused, which falls under the court of session's jurisdiction.

A second application was submitted, seeking that the trial proceed on a day-to-day basis. The application underscores the accused's status as a sitting member of the legislative assembly and invokes the Supreme Court's directive for expeditious resolution of cases involving sitting/former legislators.

Additional applications

The legal team also filed a third application, requesting the Chandigarh Police to supply a copy of the final report, along with all relevant documents. Furthermore, two more applications sought the imposition of legal conditions on the accused and action against the woman's landlords for revealing her identity.

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The court has issued a notice, and the case is scheduled for its next hearing on October 21. This development marks a significant step in the legal proceedings as the complainant seeks a swift and focused trial in her case against the former Indian hockey team captain and current legislator.