Wrestlers Pledge to Challenge Court Ruling in Sexual Harassment Case

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have vowed to continue their fight against the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former WFI chief accused of sexual harassment. They expressed their disappointment with the court's ruling and emphasized the courage of the women who came forward. The wrestlers plan to appeal the decision, asserting that they have not lost hope in their pursuit of justice. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the challenges faced by female athletes in confronting powerful figures. As the legal battle continues, the wrestlers remain determined to seek accountability.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 3, 2026, 14:27 IST

Wrestlers Commit to Ongoing Legal Battle

On Monday, renowned wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia announced their intention to appeal the recent acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who faced allegations of sexual harassment from female wrestlers. They emphasized that their resolve remains strong, stating they have 'not lost hope' in their pursuit of justice.

In a statement shared on X, the wrestlers highlighted the immense courage it took for the women to publicly accuse a powerful political figure. They remarked, 'It required significant bravery to come forward and file an FIR against a strongman politician from the ruling party. Brij Bhushan used his political influence to intimidate many into retracting their complaints.'

Expressing their disappointment with the court's decision, they noted that numerous female wrestlers had steadfastly continued their legal fight. 'Many women wrestlers remained resolute and pursued the legal process against Brij Bhushan. We are profoundly saddened that the court did not find him guilty of the serious allegations of sexual violence made by these women,' they added.

Phogat and Punia further accused the government and judicial system of protecting the former WFI chief. They confirmed that the complainants have instructed their legal representatives to file an appeal against the ruling promptly. 'From the outset, the entire establishment, including the government, has been working to shield Brij Bhushan. The female wrestlers have directed their lawyers to challenge this verdict, and we will act swiftly. Our hope remains intact, and we will continue our fight,' they concluded.

Overview of the Court's Ruling and Case Details

This case stems from an FIR filed by female wrestlers during Brij Bhushan's tenure as the WFI chief. The Delhi Police had invoked several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 354, 354D, 354A, 506 (1), and 109.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar, with the hearing taking place in a closed courtroom. A detailed judgment is expected to be published by the court.

On July 2, the court reserved its judgment regarding the sexual harassment allegations against Singh and Tomar. They were on trial for claims of sexual misconduct involving women wrestlers both in India and internationally during Singh's leadership of the WFI.

Advocate Rajiv Mohan, along with Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, represented Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, while senior advocate Rebecca John represented the victims. The arguments concluded on June 30, following protests by women wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police had filed a comprehensive 1500-page charge sheet on June 15, 2023, based on the investigation into the allegations against Singh and Tomar.