'Archaic and stereotypical assumptions': Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan's acquittal

Four women wrestlers have moved a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case. They have also challenged the acquittal of former WFI Secretary Vinod Tomar.

The appeal will be heard on Saturday by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh at the Rouse Avenue Courts. The wrestlers have challenged the August 3 order of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar, arguing that it is unsustainable in law and based on a selective assessment of the evidence.

Wrestlers question court’s reasoning

The appeal argues that the trial court relied on conjectures and “archaic and stereotypical assumptions” about how victims of sexual assault and harassment are expected to behave.

The petition specifically challenges the court's reliance on the prolonged silence of the complainants, their continued cordial relations with Singh and inconsistencies in their testimonies.

The ACJM had noted that photographs on record showed Singh being invited to family functions and wedding ceremonies by some of the women. The court had also observed that while concerns about possible damage to their careers could explain why they did not complain earlier, it questioned why cordial relations continued for years.

Singh was acquitted of three IPC charges

The ACJM acquitted Singh of charges under Sections 354, 354A and 506(Part-I) of the Indian Penal Code, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

Tomar was acquitted of the charge under Section 506(Part-I) of the IPC.

The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the IPC. Section 109, relating to abetment, was additionally invoked against Tomar.

Allegations date back to 2016-2019

The allegations against Singh concerned incidents said to have taken place between 2016 and 2019 at locations including the WFI office, his official residence and abroad, according to media reports.

Singh was accused of sexual harassment by women wrestlers in 2023, leading to an FIR and subsequent chargesheet. A Delhi court later framed charges against him in the case.

POCSO case had separate outcome

A separate POCSO case had been registered against Singh following a complaint by a minor wrestler. The Delhi Police subsequently filed a cancellation report in that case, and a Delhi court accepted the report in May 2025.

The present appeal relates to the sexual harassment case involving the adult women wrestlers and challenges the acquittal order passed on August 3.