Delhi Court Adjourns Hearing on Wrestlers' Appeal Against Acquittal of WFI Officials
Court Proceedings Update
Photo: @ians_india/X
New Delhi, Oct 9: On Friday, a court in Delhi postponed the hearing regarding an appeal made by four female wrestlers who are contesting the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), and Vinod Tomar, the former Assistant Secretary of WFI, in a case involving allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts has provided additional time for the respondents and rescheduled the hearing for October 28.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was present in person at the sessions court on Friday.
The appeal challenges the trial court's decision from August 3, which cleared both Brij Bhushan and Tomar, stating that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proof required to substantiate the charges.
The wrestlers argue in their appeal that the trial court's ruling lacks legal foundation and that the evidence was misinterpreted.
Additionally, the appeal contests Tomar's acquittal concerning allegations of criminal intimidation under Section 506 Part I of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) made by one of the complainants.
On September 28, the Rouse Avenue Court had issued notices to both Brij Bhushan and Tomar regarding the appeal, requesting their responses by October 9. The trial court had previously acquitted them, citing insufficient evidence to support the charges.
This case traces back to January 2023, when several wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, protested at Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.
The wrestlers demanded Brij Bhushan's resignation and the dissolution of the WFI. Following a complaint to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, an inquiry committee was formed, which included notable athletes like Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt. The Union Sports Ministry later suspended the WFI's operations amid the ongoing controversy.
In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court decided to frame charges against the accused, finding adequate evidence to proceed with the case concerning sexual harassment and the violation of the modesty of five female wrestlers.
Brij Bhushan has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
This case is separate from another POCSO case filed by a minor wrestler against Brij Bhushan. In May 2025, a Delhi court accepted the cancellation report from the Delhi Police, which stated that no corroborative evidence was found to support the allegations.
After Brij Bhushan's acquittal, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia expressed their disappointment, indicating plans to appeal the decision in a higher court. In contrast, Brij Bhushan welcomed the ruling, calling it a "victory for junior players."