Brij Bhushan Singh Acquitted in Sexual Harassment Case Involving Wrestlers
Brij Bhushan Singh Celebrates Acquittal
On Monday, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), expressed his satisfaction with the court's ruling that cleared him and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges involving female wrestlers. Following the verdict, Singh stated that he had always been prepared to face the consequences if any allegations against him were substantiated.
Brij Bhushan Singh Welcomes Acquittal
Singh described the ruling as a joyous occasion for both himself and his supporters, extending gratitude to his legal team. He mentioned that he would await the court's detailed judgment before making further comments. "From the very beginning, I declared that if any verdict or charge was proven against me, I would accept it. Today, the court has acquitted me with dignity. This is a moment of happiness for me and my supporters... Today is a day of celebration," Singh remarked.
Background of the Case and Charges
Case Background and Chargesheet
The allegations against Singh arose during his leadership of the WFI, with female wrestlers accusing him of misconduct. In 2023, the Delhi Police submitted a chargesheet against Singh, citing offenses such as sexual harassment, assault, and criminal intimidation. Tomar was also implicated as a co-defendant in the case.
Details of Court Proceedings
Court Proceedings
Last month, the court scheduled August 3 for the announcement of the judgment regarding the allegations made by the female wrestlers. The hearings were held in a closed courtroom.
After both sides presented their final arguments, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar reserved the judgment, having listened to extensive submissions from both the prosecution and defense. The court instructed the legal teams to submit their written arguments within two weeks.
During the final arguments, senior advocate Rebecca John represented the complainants, while the defense team, led by advocate Rajiv Mohan and supported by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, concluded their arguments on June 30.
This case is tied to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi Police following a protest by female wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, where they raised allegations of sexual harassment against Singh during his time as WFI chief. Previously, the Delhi Police had submitted a comprehensive 1500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, after concluding their investigation into the claims. The chargesheet included provisions under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.
Earlier in the trial, the court recorded the testimony of a member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on May 12, along with the statements of the investigating officer. The accused have been undergoing trial concerning allegations made by female wrestlers from both India and abroad, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his leadership of the Wrestling Federation of India.