2 hrs ago
Women Wrestlers Challenge Brij Bhushan Acquittal in Sexual Harassment Case
Four women wrestlers have asked a higher court to review the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Singh was the former head of the Wrestling Federation of India.
The appeal also concerns Vinod Tomar, a former WFI assistant secretary.
A magistrate’s court acquitted both men on August 3.
The wrestlers say the court did not properly assess the evidence.
They also say the judgment made unfair assumptions about how victims should act.
The magistrate’s court said the allegations were not proved and described them as false and politically motivated.
The higher court may hear the appeal on Saturday.
Four women wrestlers have appealed the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The appeal also challenges the acquittal of former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar on a criminal-intimidation charge.
The wrestlers say the August 3 judgment selectively assessed evidence and relied on conjectures and surmises.
They argue the ruling used archaic and stereotypical assumptions about how victims of sexual harassment should behave.
The appeal is likely to be heard Saturday by Sessions Judge Dig Vinay Singh.
- Who
- Four women wrestlers are challenging the acquittals of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar.
- What
- They have filed an appeal against the August 3 acquittal judgment in a sexual harassment case.
- Where
- The appeal is before a sessions court in Delhi.
- When
- The appeal was filed Friday; a hearing is likely Saturday.
- Why
- The wrestlers say the judgment selectively assessed evidence, relied on conjecture, and used stereotypical assumptions about victims.
Wrestlers’ Appeal
Magistrate Court’s Acquittal
Evaluation of evidence
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The wrestlers argue that the judgment selectively appreciated the evidence, relied on conjectures and surmises, and is unsustainable in law.
Magistrate Court’s Acquittal
The magistrate’s court held that the prosecution had not proved the allegations and acquitted Singh of all charges and Tomar of criminal intimidation.
Victims’ conduct
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The appellants say the ruling relied on archaic and stereotypical assumptions about the expected behavior of victims of sexual harassment.
Magistrate Court’s Acquittal
The court questioned why complainants maintained cordial relations with Singh, invited him to family events, and did not report the allegations earlier.
Nature of allegations
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The wrestlers are seeking appellate review of the findings in the case filed by women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat.
Magistrate Court’s Acquittal
The magistrate’s court described the allegations as false and fabricated and part of a politically motivated conspiracy; it also noted that two projected victims later said no sexual harassment had occurred.
Key facts
- Appellants
- Four women wrestlers
- Main respondent
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former Wrestling Federation of India chief and former BJP MP
- Co-accused
- Vinod Tomar, former WFI assistant secretary
- Challenged order
- August 3 acquittal judgment by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar
- Charges against Singh
- Indian Penal Code Sections 354, 354A and 506(I)
- Charge against Tomar
- Indian Penal Code Section 506(I), criminal intimidation
- Possible hearing
- Saturday before Sessions Judge Dig Vinay Singh
- Related events
- The complaints led to protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2023 and a Delhi Police investigation.
Quotes
The magistrate court
The court that acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar.
“it is not difficult but rather abnormal conduct to not remember the place where the incident of sexual harassment had occurred”
telegraphindia.com
“the contradiction is fatal to the prosecution case”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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