Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court, challenging the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has formerly been a BJP MP and the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.
The appeal against the trial court's August 3, 2026, verdict is likely to be heard on Saturday (September 26, 2026) by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Court.
The trial court had acquitted both accused last month, saying there were "significant" inconsistencies in the complainants' accounts regarding the dates, years, and locations of alleged incidents of sexual harassment.
In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the trial court’s decision failed to apply binding and well-settled principles of law.
They claimed that the decision rests on "archaic and stereotypical assumptions" about the expected behaviour of victims of sexual harassment and assault.
The application also noted that the trial court focused on minor inconsistencies and overlooked the broader evidence.
Wrestlers protest | Endurance athletes High-profile case The case came into the limelight after wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat, held protests in New Delhi for several months in 2023, calling for the arrest of Mr.
Singh over allegations of sexual harassment involving several women wrestlers, one of whom was a minor.
According to the complainants, the alleged incidents occurred between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, Mr.
Singh’s official residence, and during international tours.
In response to the protests, the Union Sports Ministry formed an oversight committee to investigate the allegations.
Following the intervention of the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) against Mr.
Singh in May 2023.
The police subsequently filed a chargesheet exceeding 1,000 pages before the Rouse Avenue Court in June 2023.
The charges included offences under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation, respectively.
On May 10, 2024, the trial court formally framed charges against Mr.
Singh under Sections 354 and 354A of the IPC in connection with allegations made by five women wrestlers.
The court also found sufficient grounds to frame charges under Section 506(1) in relation to the complaints of two wrestlers.
A separate case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following a complaint by a minor wrestler.
However, after the complainant withdrew her allegations and revised her statement, the Delhi Police submitted a closure report.
The court subsequently accepted the report, bringing the proceedings in that case to a close.
