Vinesh Phogat Says Wrestlers Will Challenge Brij Bhushan Acquittal Through Appeal

World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday said the women wrestlers who had accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will appeal against a Delhi court's decision acquitting him. The announcement came shortly after the court cleared Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar of all charges in the case. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.

The verdict followed the completion of final arguments, after which the court had reserved its order on July 2. Reacting to the judgment, Phogat alleged that the system had protected Singh throughout the legal process. In a post on X, she wrote, “From the very beginning, the entire administration, the government, and the system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan.” She further said the complainants were disappointed with the outcome but remained determined to continue the legal battle. “We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations of sexual violence made by the women wrestlers.

The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this decision, and the appeal will be filed as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight,” Phogat said. Olympian Bajrang Punia, who, along with Phogat and Sakshi Malik, led the high-profile protest against Singh at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in April and May 2023, shared the same statement on his X account. The three wrestlers had spearheaded a 36-day sit-in demanding action against the former WFI chief. Phogat also alleged that Singh had used his influence to pressure some complainants into withdrawing from the case.

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“Using his influence and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names. However, many women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting against Brij Bhushan in court,” she claimed. The case originated from complaints filed by six women wrestlers, following which the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Singh on June 15, 2023. The chargesheet invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to assault or criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty, sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation.

One of the complainants, who was a minor at the time, later withdrew her allegations. In May last year, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police's cancellation report, leading to the closure of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case linked to the minor's complaint. Speaking outside the court after the verdict, Singh welcomed the decision and described it as an honourable acquittal. “On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself. The court has now honourably acquitted me.

I am happy and grateful to my lawyers,” he said, adding that he would comment further after reading the detailed judgment. Public prosecutor Manish Rawat said the prosecution would examine the detailed order before deciding its next legal course. Under law, the prosecution can challenge the magistrate court's verdict before the Delhi High Court, while the complainants have also indicated that they intend to pursue an appeal against the acquittal.

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