Four women wrestlers have moved the Delhi Sessions Court against the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case lodged against him.
The appeal challenges the August 3 judgment of the Rouse Avenue Court, which acquitted Singh of allegations arising from complaints made by women wrestlers. The petitioners have contended that the trial court failed to properly appreciate the evidence on record and adopted an approach that resulted in material inconsistencies and circumstances being viewed against the complainants.
The wrestlers have questioned the trial court’s treatment of the delay in reporting the alleged incidents, their continued professional interactions with Singh and discrepancies concerning the dates and places of the alleged occurrences. They have argued that these factors could not have been considered in isolation while assessing allegations of sexual harassment.
The challenge also raises objections to the manner in which the trial court assessed the testimonies of the complainants and other prosecution witnesses. The appellants have urged the Sessions Court to re-examine the evidence and findings recorded in the acquittal judgment.
The case stems from allegations made by six women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against him in 2023 under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code. Charges were subsequently framed against Singh in relation to the allegations made by five of the wrestlers.
The prosecution case was tried through in-camera proceedings. Following the trial, the magistrate’s court acquitted Singh, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The four wrestlers have now sought appellate examination of the acquittal, contending that the findings warrant reconsideration in light of the evidence and circumstances placed before the trial court.
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