Court Issues Notice in Appeal Against Acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Court Notice Issued
The Rouse Avenue court has issued a notice to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and others regarding an appeal against his acquittal in a sexual harassment case. Both Singh and Vinod Tomar were cleared of charges by the Magistrate Court on August 3.
Upcoming Hearing Scheduled
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh has requested a response to the appeal, which is set for a hearing on October 9. The court has instructed that the original affidavit and orders containing the victims' names be submitted in a sealed envelope. Additionally, the appellant must file a version of the petition with the victims' names redacted.
Wrestlers' Challenge to Acquittal
Women wrestlers have contested the acquittal of former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar. They argue that the acquittal is legally unsound and based on a flawed interpretation of the evidence presented. The appeal claims that the ruling relies on conjecture and fails to adhere to established legal principles, instead reflecting outdated stereotypes regarding the behavior of sexual assault victims.
Case Background
On August 3, the Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges linked to an FIR filed by women wrestlers during Singh's tenure as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief. The Delhi Police had invoked various sections of the IPC, including 354, 354 D, 354 A, 506 (1), and 109.
The acquittal was delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar, following a closed courtroom hearing. The allegations involved Singh's conduct towards women wrestlers both in India and abroad while he led the WFI.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was represented by Advocate Rajiv Mohan, with assistance from Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, while Senior Advocate Rebecca John represented the victims.
Protests and Investigations
Women wrestlers had previously staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, leading to an FIR filed by one of the complainants. Following an investigation, the Delhi Police submitted a comprehensive 1500-page charge sheet against Singh and Tomar on June 15, 2023.