Brij Bhushan sexual harassment case: Women wrestlers challenge acquittal

Women wrestlers move Rouse Avenue court against Brij Bhushan acquittalNEW 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 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.The acquittal was pronounced after in-camera proceedings.In their appeal, the wrestlers have contended that the judgment is based on an erroneous and selective appreciation of the evidence on record.They have further argued that the order proceeds on "conjectures and surmises" and fails to apply binding and well-settled principles of law.The appeal also contends that parts of the judgment rely on what the appellants describe as "archaic and stereotypical assumptions" regarding the "expected" behaviour of victims of sexual assault and harassment, instead of assessing the evidence in the context of the circumstances of the complainants.The case stems from complaints filed by women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief.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.Tomar was charged with criminal intimidation in connection with one complainant.On August 3, the court acquitted Singh and Tomar after hearing arguments from the prosecution, complainants and the accused.The judgment followed a trial that lasted more than three years and included 127 hearings, according to court reporting.The protests began at Jantar Mantar in April 2023, followed by a Delhi Police chargesheet in June 2023 and framing of charges in May 2024.The trial began in June 2024 before the court pronounced the acquittal on August 3, 2026.Senior advocate Rebecca John appeared for the victims/complainants, while advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, represented Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.The appeal will now come up before the sessions court on Saturday for consideration.(With ANI inputs)