Will appeal against this decision, say wrestlers after Delhi court acquits Brij Bhushan

World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday, August 3, said that the women wrestlers who had filed a sexual harassment case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will appeal against a Delhi court's decision to acquit him.

The Rouse Avenue Courts in Delhi, on Monday, August 3, acquitted Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by the women wrestlers.

"From the very beginning, the entire administration, the government, and the system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan," Phogat posted on 'X'.

""We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations of sexual violence made by the women wrestlers.

"The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this decision, and the appeal will be filed as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight," Bhogat said.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted ex-BJP MP Singh and Tomar, former WFI assistant secretary, in the case.

Phogat, along with wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, was the face of the 36-day sit-in protest in April-May 2023 against Singh at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Punia also posted the same statement on his 'X' handle.

Phogat also alleged that Singh "intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names".

"We had to gather a lot of courage to come out onto the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using his influence and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names.

"However, many women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting against Brij Bhushan in court," she said.

Based on the complaints filed by the six wrestlers, Delhi police registered a first information report (FIR) against Singh on June 15, 2023.

The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh, a six-time MP, under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

One of the wrestlers, a minor, later withdrew her complaint.

In May last year, a Delhi Court accepted the Delhi Police’s cancellation report, closing the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case filed by the minor.

The court on July 2 had reserved the order for August 3 after completion of the final arguments in the case.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Singh said the court had "honourably" acquitted him and Tomar.

"On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself. The court has now honourably acquitted me. I am happy and grateful to my lawyers," he said.

"For now, this is all I can say. I will comment further after going through the court's reasoned order," the ex-BJP MP added.

Public prosecutor Manish Rawat, however, said that after examining the detailed order, "appropriate action" would be taken before the higher courts.

The prosecution can challenge the magisterial court's verdict before the Delhi High Court.

Following is the chronology of case:

* Apr 23, 2023: Women wrestlers started a protest demanding Singh's arrest at Jantar Mantar.

* Apr 25, 2023: The Supreme Court takes note of seven wrestlers' plea, issues notice to Delhi Police.

* Apr 28, 2023: Delhi Police registers two FIRs against Singh at the Connaught Place police station.

* May 4, 2023: The Supreme Court closes case, noting that FIRs are registered. It asks police to provide security to complainant wrestlers.

* June 15, 2023: Delhi Police files chargesheet against Singh and Tomar under various Indian Penal Code sections, including sexual harassment. Police, however, filed a cancellation report in an FIR lodged by a minor wrestler against Singh.

* July 4, 2023: A sessions court seeks response from the minor wrestler and her father on the cancellation report.

* July 7, 2023: Delhi High Court allows minor wrestler to withdraw her plea seeking court-monitored probe as police filed the cancellation report after investigation.

* July 7, 2023: Delhi court takes cognisance of chargesheet and directs Singh and Tomar to appear before it on July 18.

* July 18, 2023: Singh and Tomar appear, get interim bail for two days.

* July 20, 2023: The two accused get regular bail.

* May 21 2024: Court frames charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women against Singh; charge of criminal intimidation against Tomar in the case. It, however, discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers, citing lack of sufficient evidence to back her claim.

* June 1, 2024: Trial begins.

* May 26, 2025: Court accepts Delhi Police's closure report and closes the case in a sexual harassment case filed by a wrestler accusing Singh of sexual harassment when she was a minor.

* July 2: Court reserves its order.

* August 3: Court acquits Singh and Tomar.