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Delhi Court Notices Brij Bhushan Over Wrestlers’ Acquittal Appeal
Four women wrestlers have asked a Delhi court to review the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Singh was accused of sexually harassing six women wrestlers.
Vinod Tomar was also accused of criminal intimidation in the case.
A lower court acquitted both men, saying there was not enough evidence.
The lower court also described the case as false, fabricated and possibly politically motivated, according to one report.
The wrestlers disagree with that decision.
They say the evidence was assessed unfairly and that the judgment relied on stereotypes about how victims should behave.
A judge has now sent notices to Singh, Tomar and the state.
The next hearing is set for October 9.
A Delhi court issued notice on four women wrestlers’ appeal against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s acquittal.
The notice was issued to Singh, Vinod Tomar and the state by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh.
The appeal, filed on September 25, also challenges Tomar’s acquittal on a criminal intimidation charge.
The trial court acquitted Singh and Tomar on August 3, citing lack of evidence.
Further proceedings in the appeal are scheduled for October 9.
- Who
- Four women wrestlers appealed against the acquittals of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.
- What
- A Delhi court issued notice in the wrestlers’ criminal appeal challenging the acquittals.
- Where
- A Delhi court in New Delhi.
- When
- The appeal was filed on September 25, and further proceedings are scheduled for October 9; the notices were issued on Monday.
- Why
- The wrestlers argue that the acquittal relied on a selective and legally flawed assessment of evidence and stereotypical assumptions about sexual-harassment victims.
Wrestlers’ Appeal
Trial Court’s Acquittal
Assessment of evidence
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The wrestlers say the acquittal was based on a manifestly erroneous and selective appreciation of the evidence, conjecture and surmise, and a failure to apply established legal principles.
Trial Court’s Acquittal
The trial court acquitted Singh and Tomar, citing lack of evidence, and concluded that the case was false and fabricated, according to one report.
Treatment of allegations
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The wrestlers argue that the judgment relied on archaic and stereotypical assumptions about how victims of sexual assault or harassment should behave.
Trial Court’s Acquittal
The trial court observed that the allegations appeared rehearsed, well-practised and planted, and noted the delay in making complaints and the absence of earlier named allegations before the 2023 protest, according to one report.
Political motivation
Wrestlers’ Appeal
The appeal seeks to overturn the acquittal and contends that the decision was legally unsustainable.
Trial Court’s Acquittal
The trial court said the case appeared to be politically motivated, according to one report.
Key facts
- Appeal filed
- September 25
- Notice issued to
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinod Tomar and the state
- Next proceedings
- October 9
- Original case
- Sexual-harassment allegations by six women wrestlers
- Trial court outcome
- Singh and Tomar were acquitted on August 3, with the court citing lack of evidence
- Chargesheet
- Police filed charges against Singh on June 15, 2023, under IPC Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1)
- Date discrepancy
- One report refers to the acquittal as occurring on August 3, 2026, while the other reports describe it as August 3 this year without specifying a year
Sources
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