Women wrestlers move Rouse Avenue court against Brij Bhushan acquittal

Women wrestlers move Rouse Avenue court against Brij Bhushan acquittal

NEW DELHI: The women wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment have challenged his acquittal before the Rouse Avenue court, with the appeal against the August 3 verdict scheduled to be heard on Saturday. The allegations triggered protests by prominent wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2023 and led to a Delhi Police investigation. Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh and Tomar in June 2023 under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506. In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue court framed charges against Singh in connection with allegations made by five complainants, while he was discharged in relation to the complaint of another woman wrestler. On August 3, the court acquitted Singh and Tomar after hearing arguments from the prosecution, complainants and the accused.

The wrestlers have argued that the trial court’s order was legally unsustainable and selectively assessed the evidence while relying on what they describe as “archaic and stereotypical assumptions” about the behaviour of victims of sexual harassment and assault.

Special Judge (MP-MLA Cases) Dig Vinay Singh is scheduled to hear the appeal challenging the judgment of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the case.