Wrestlers to Appeal Acquittal of Former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

NEW DELHI: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat said the women wrestlers would appeal against the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She alleged that "the entire state machinery, the government, and the system have been working to protect Brij Bhushan" since the beginning of the case. In a statement issued after the verdict on Monday, Phogat accused the authorities of shielding the former BJP MP throughout the case and confirmed that the wrestlers had instructed their lawyers to appeal. "We had to muster a great deal of courage to take to the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using the influence of the government and his own political clout, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names from the case. Yet, several women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting against Brij Bhushan in court," she wrote. Expressing disappointment over the verdict, Phogat said, "We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the sexual harassment allegations brought by the women wrestlers." She went on to allege that, "From the very beginning, the entire state machinery, the government, and the system have been working to protect Brij Bhushan." Announcing the next legal step, Phogat added, "The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this verdict, and the appeal will be filed as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight."

The statement came hours after Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former WFI assistant secretary, in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Singh welcomed the verdict, calling it 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 order. The court had reserved its verdict on July 2 after hearing final arguments. The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan in June 2023 under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation and assault or criminal force intended to outrage the modesty of a woman.