New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.
Apart from Singh, former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar was also acquitted of all charges.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar pronounced the verdict after hearing submissions from the prosecution, the complainants and the accused.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said the allegations against him were part of a conspiracy and that he would have accepted the consequences if they were proven true.The former WFI chief also welcomed the Rouse Avenue Court's decision to acquit him in the women wrestlers' alleged sexual harassment case, saying he had complete faith in the judicial process and never felt guilty."I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day, I've stood by that statement. Today, after almost three years, the court has honourably acquitted me and Vinod," Singh said.He said he had always stood up for people whose rights were violated and expressed happiness over what he described as a victory in the fight for junior athletes."I always stood up for those who were weak, those whose rights were violated. I had complete faith that justice would be done to me, and I never felt guilty. We were fighting for the junior athletes whose rights were being violated, and I am happy that we won that fight," he added.
#WATCH | Delhi | After being acquitted by Rouse Avenue Court in the women wrestlers alleged sexual harassment case, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, "... I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day,… https://t.co/6O1R8HjBeD pic.twitter.com/Btlt3pWJZA
Following his acquittal, Singh received a warm welcome at his residence, where supporters showered him with flower petals. Crackers were also burst outside his residence as supporters celebrated the court's verdict.Brij Bhushan's lawyer Rajiv Mohan told reporters, "... The court has not yet received a copy of the order. Once it is received, we can inform on what basis the court arrived at its conclusion. The arguments we presented have been accepted..."
#WATCH | Delhi | People congratualted Brij Bhushan Sharan singh with floral garlands and bouquets after he was acquitted by Rouse Avenue Court in the women wrestlers alleged sexual harassment case. pic.twitter.com/0NRhj99ASh
The case stemmed from allegations made by several women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. In 2023, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh, accusing him of offences including sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force against a woman, and criminal intimidation. Tomar was named as a co-accused.
Last month, the court fixed August 3 for pronouncing the judgment. The proceedings were held in a closed courtroom.
After the conclusion of final arguments, ACJM Ashwini Panwar had reserved the verdict following detailed submissions from both the prosecution and the defence. The court had also directed both sides to file their written submissions within two weeks.
During the final hearing, senior advocate Rebecca John appeared for the complainants, while the defence was led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati. The defence concluded its arguments on June 30.
The case originated from an FIR registered by the Delhi Police following the women wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar, where they accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI chief.
The Delhi Police filed a 1,500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, after completing its investigation. The chargesheet invoked Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.
During the trial, the court also recorded the statements of a member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the investigating officer.