New Delhi: Women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case before the Rouse Avenue court, with the appeal scheduled to be heard on Saturday.
Special Judge (MP-MLA Cases) Dig Vinay Singh is set to hear the appeal against the August 3 judgment of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. The acquittal was pronounced following in-camera proceedings.
Through their appeal, the wrestlers have challenged the acquittal, arguing that the judgment is unsustainable in law and reflects what they describe as an erroneous and selective assessment of the evidence on record.
The appeal states that the judgment is based on 'conjectures and surmises' and fails to apply binding and well-settled principles of law.
It also argues that parts of the judgment rely on what the appellants describe as 'archaic and stereotypical assumptions' about the 'expected' behaviour of victims of sexual assault and harassment, rather than evaluating the evidence in the context of the complainants' circumstances.
The case originated from complaints filed by women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. The allegations led to protests by prominent wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in 2023 and a subsequent Delhi Police investigation.
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Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh and Tomar in June 2023 in connection with the allegations. The case included allegations under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506.
In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue court framed charges against Singh in connection with allegations made by five complainants. He was discharged in relation to the complaint of another woman wrestler. Tomar was charged with criminal intimidation in connection with one complainant.
On August 3, the court acquitted Singh and Tomar after hearing arguments from the prosecution, complainants and the accused. The judgment came after a trial lasting more than three years and involving 127 hearings, according to court reporting.
Senior advocate Rebecca John appeared for the victims/complainants, while advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, represented Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The appeal will now come before the sessions court on Saturday for consideration.
