File photo of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The case stems from complaints by six women wrestlers alleging incidents between 2016 and 2019, when Singh headed the WFI. Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against him in June 2023, invoking Indian Penal Code provisions relating to sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against a woman, stalking and criminal intimidation. In May 2024, the trial court framed charges against Singh over allegations made by five wrestlers, while discharging him in relation to the sixth complainant.
The counsel sought a week to file the reply, following which the court posted the matter for further proceedings on Nov 20. The court had earlier, on Oct 9, granted Singh time to file his response and listed the matter for Oct 28. On Sept 28, the judge issued notices to Singh, former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar and the state. The criminal appeal, filed on Sept 25, challenged Singh’s acquittal. On Aug 3 this year, a magisterial court acquitted the former BJP MP and WFI chief in a sexual harassment case lodged by six women wrestlers, including world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat , citing lack of evidence.
It alleged that the trial court had proceeded on conjectures and surmises and “failed to apply binding and well-settled principles of law”. New Delhi: A Delhi court Wednesday granted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh a final opportunity to file his response to an appeal challenging his acquittal in an alleged sexual harassment case lodged by four women wrestlers. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh made it clear to Singh’s counsel that no further opportunity would be granted.