Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted in sexual harassment case

Two years after the commencement of trial, a Delhi court on Monday (August 3) acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the case of sexual harassment lodged against him by six women wrestlers. WFI secretary Vinod Tomar is a co-accused in the case.

The development comes after Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Ashwini Panwar of Rouse Avenue Courts reserved orders on the judgment on July 2. The CJM had also directed the prosecution and the defence to submit their written arguments in two weeks.

While Singh has been booked under sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment) and 506(1) (criminal intimidation), the co-accused Tomar was charged for criminal intimidation. The offences can lead to a maximum punishment of five years of imprisonment.

Singh welcomes verdict

Reacting to the verdict, Singh welcomed the court's decision, describing his acquittal as a vindication of the stand he had maintained since the allegations first surfaced. He thanked his legal team and said he would wait for the detailed judgment before making any further comments.

Recalling his statement made at the outset of the case, Singh said, "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," reported ANI.

Vinesh unhappy

The acquittal, however, drew a sharp response from Olympian Vinesh Phogat, one of the six complainants in the case, who said the legal battle was far from over. In a statement posted on social media, Vinesh said the women wrestlers would challenge the verdict before a higher court at the earliest.

"It took a great deal of courage for us to take to the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using his political influence and muscle power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several women into withdrawing their complaints. But many women wrestlers stood firm and continued to fight the legal battle," she said, adding that the complainants were "deeply disappointed" that the court did not hold Singh guilty.

Alleging that "the entire system, the government, and the establishment" had worked to protect the former WFI chief throughout the proceedings, Vinesh said the wrestlers remained determined to continue the fight. "The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this verdict, and the appeal will be filed at the earliest. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight," she said.

Protests led to case

The criminal proceedings against Singh and Tomar stemmed from protests launched by leading women wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in January 2023. The athletes accused Singh of sexually harassing several female wrestlers over a period of nearly a decade and sought his arrest along with his removal as WFI chief.

Also Read: HC grants Brij Bhushan time to seek quashing of wrestlers' sexual harassment FIR

Following the allegations, Singh, then a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj, stepped down from the federation's top post, while Tomar, regarded as his close associate, was also suspended.

The demonstrations were briefly called off after the Union Sports Ministry promised an inquiry committee, but resumed in April 2023 when the wrestlers alleged that no concrete action had followed.

Investigation and trial

Acting on directions issued by the Supreme Court, Delhi Police registered two FIRs on April 28, 2023. One related to complaints by six adult women wrestlers against Singh and Tomar, while the second invoked provisions of the POCSO Act on the complaint of a minor wrestler. Both FIRs alleged incidents between 2012 and 2022.

Also Read: ‘If I speak the truth, I will get into trouble’: Brij Bhushan hints at Ram Temple funds scam

Police filed a chargesheet in June 2023, stating sufficient material existed to prosecute the accused. Singh denied the allegations, describing them as "motivated" and a "bid to remove him from the post of WFI", while also claiming the victims had improved their testimony during trial.