Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers. This decision of the court has given a big legal relief to Brij Bhushan, but the controversy over the case does not seem to stop. After the decision, international wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat have announced to challenge it in the High Court. Both the players expressed their disagreement with the court’s decision and said that they will continue the legal fight for justice.
Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia alleged that the system was working to protect Brijbhushan Sharan Singh from the very beginning of the entire case. They said that the women wrestlers had publicly shared their complaints and experiences, but they did not receive the justice they expected during the investigation and legal process. In a statement shared on their respective social media platforms, ‘X’, both wrestlers said that they had to struggle a lot to file an FIR against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. They wrote that many women wrestlers were pressured by power and influence, due to which some complainants withdrew their names, but many women wrestlers stood firm in the court and continued fighting the legal battle till the end.
The wrestlers stated that they were deeply saddened by the court’s decision. According to them, the court did not accept the allegations of sexual violence leveled by the female wrestlers. The statement alleged that the entire system and establishment was engaged in protecting Brijbhushan Sharan Singh from the very beginning. Vinesh and Bajrang stated that the female wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to file an appeal against the decision, which will soon be challenged in the High Court. They also stated that they have not given up hope for justice and will continue their fight.
What did Brijbhushan Sharan Singh say on the court’s decision?
After receiving relief from Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and former BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh welcomed the verdict. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar acquitted Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh said the court had “honorably acquitted” him and Vinod Tomar. He said, “On the very first day, I had said that if any of the charges against me are proven, I will hang myself. Now the court has honorably acquitted me.” Brijbhushan further said that he was happy with the court’s decision and thanked his lawyers for supporting him in this legal battle. He said, “I am happy and grateful to my lawyers.”
The decision was reserved on July 2
The Rouse Avenue Court reserved its verdict on July 2nd after final arguments concluded in the sexual harassment case filed by female wrestlers. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court scheduled August 3rd for its verdict. The case was based on complaints from six female wrestlers, in which former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar were named as accused.
Previously, in May 2024, the court ordered the framing of charges of criminal intimidation against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh. However, the court had already acquitted him in the case related to the complaint of one of the six female wrestlers. During the hearing, the prosecution and defense presented their arguments. After the final arguments were completed, the court examined the evidence and arguments on record and reserved its verdict.
Now, in a verdict delivered on August 3, the court acquitted Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar. Meanwhile, wrestlers associated with the complainant’s side have announced they will challenge the decision in the High Court, making this highly controversial case likely to continue with the legal battle.
Under which sections was the FIR registered?
Based on complaints from female wrestlers, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in court on June 15th after completing an investigation against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The Delhi Police filed a case against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, a six-time Member of Parliament, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include Section 354 – Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty; Section 354A – Offences related to sexual harassment; Section 354D – Stalking; and Section 506 – Criminal intimidation. Based on these allegations, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in court, and the case proceeded to trial. During the hearing, the prosecution and defense presented their arguments before the court.