Wrestlers Vow to Continue Legal Fight Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Wrestlers Respond to Court Verdict

On Monday, Olympic medalists Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat expressed their commitment to continue the legal struggle against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), stating that the fight is "far from over." They announced plans to appeal a Delhi court's ruling that acquitted Singh in a sexual harassment case.

In a joint statement shared on X shortly after the court's decision, the wrestlers conveyed their disappointment but affirmed their resolve to escalate the matter to a higher court.

Punia and Phogat highlighted the significant pressure faced by the wrestlers while confronting a politically influential figure, emphasizing their refusal to back down.

“It took immense courage for us to take to the streets and demand an FIR against a powerful leader from the ruling party,” they stated, accusing Singh of leveraging his political clout to intimidate women and compel them to retract their allegations.

The wrestlers further claimed that Singh had received backing from the establishment throughout the legal process.

“From the outset, the entire system, including the government and the establishment, has been working to shield Brij Bhushan,” their statement asserted.

Punia and Phogat confirmed that they have instructed their legal team to file an appeal against the judgment in a higher court as soon as possible.

“We remain hopeful, and the wrestlers will persist in their fight,” they concluded.

This case has sparked one of the largest protests in Indian sports in 2023, with prominent wrestlers like Punia, Phogat, and Sakshi Malik demanding accountability from Singh. The protests have raised significant national concerns regarding the safety of women athletes and the accountability of sports organizations.