Court Acquits Former WFI Chief in Sexual Harassment Case Involving Wrestlers

Overview of the Court's Decision

On Monday, the Rouse Avenue Court cleared former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and ex-assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of charges related to sexual harassment against female wrestlers.

Details of the Case and Legal Proceedings

The allegations against Singh arose during his leadership of the WFI, leading to a chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police in 2023. This document included serious accusations such as sexual harassment, assault, and criminal intimidation. Tomar was also implicated as a co-defendant in the case.

Last month, the court scheduled August 3 for the judgment announcement regarding the allegations made by the wrestlers. The hearings took place behind closed doors, with Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar presiding over the proceedings.

After both sides presented their final arguments, the judge reserved the decision, instructing the legal teams to submit written arguments within a two-week timeframe.

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 originated from a protest by female wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, where they voiced allegations of sexual misconduct against Singh. The Delhi Police had previously submitted a comprehensive 1500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, after concluding their investigation into the claims.

The charges included violations of Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, the court had recorded testimonies from a member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the investigating officer during the trial.

Accusations and Their Impact

The accused faced trial due to allegations from both Indian and international female wrestlers, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his time leading the Wrestling Federation of India.