‘We have not lost hope’: Vinesh Phogat vows to continue fight after Brij Bhushan acquittal

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NEW DELHI: India’s celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday said the fight against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was far from over, announcing that the wrestlers would challenge the Delhi court’s verdict acquitting him in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers.Reacting to the judgment, the three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist took to social media to express disappointment over the verdict and asserted that the women wrestlers would continue their legal battle by approaching a higher court. “We had fought hard to protest on streets and file FIR against Brij Bhushan Saran Singh. Using his power and influence, Brij Bhushan had forced many girls to withdraw their names in the case.”But many female wrestlers stood their ground, and kept fighting against Brij Bhushan in the court. We are very sad that the court has acquitted Brij Bhushan in the sexual harassment case against the female wrestlers.”From the start, the whole system was trying to save him. The female wrestlers have asked their lawyers to appeal the verdict and it will be filed soon.”We have not lost hope, wrestlers will continue their fight,” Vinesh wrote.

Wrestlers to move higher court

Vinesh’s statement came hours after the Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case that had dominated Indian wrestling for more than two years.The verdict marked a significant development in a controversy that began in 2023 when several leading Indian wrestlers staged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, accusing the former WFI chief of sexual harassment during his tenure.According to Vinesh, the legal battle is not over.She said the complainants had already instructed their lawyers to challenge the acquittal before a higher court, signalling that the wrestlers intend to continue pursuing the matter through the judicial process.

Court acquits Brij Bhushan and Vinod Tomar

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court acquitted both Singh and Tomar after hearing final arguments from the prosecution and defence.The case arose from allegations made by six women wrestlers, following which the Delhi Police registered an FIR and filed a 1,500-page chargesheet in 2023.The chargesheet invoked provisions relating to assault or criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty, sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code.During the trial, the court examined members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), including the investigating officer, before reserving its verdict.Following the acquittal, Brij Bhushan welcomed the judgment and described it as “a happy day” for himself 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. Today, the court acquitted me with honour. It is a matter of joy for me and my supporters… Today is a happy day,” Singh told reporters.While the verdict has brought the trial before the Rouse Avenue Court to a close, Vinesh’s statement makes it clear that the wrestlers are preparing for the next stage of the legal battle, with an appeal against the acquittal expected to be filed in a higher court.

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