Women wrestlers sexual harassment case: Delhi Court acquits Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinod Tomar
Several renowned wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat had protested for months in New Delhi in 2023, demanding the arrest of the BJP leader
A Delhi court delivered a verdict on Monday, acquitting former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case brought forth by several women wrestlers. Notable athletes such as Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat had been vocal advocates for Singh's arrest, alleging his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers between 2016 and 2019.
The protest in New Delhi persisted for weeks in 2023, leading to the establishment of an oversight committee by the Sports Ministry to probe the matter internally. The police had filed a first information report (FIR) against Singh after the Supreme Court's intervention in May 2023, which culminated in a 1,000-page chargesheet being filed at the Rouse Avenue court in June.
The former lawmaker contested the charges, asserting that the investigation was biased towards the victim's version, who he believed were motivated by a desire for "revenge." Singh argued that the charge sheet was filed without considering the falsity of the allegations. A previous court had granted a closure report last year to cancel a sexual harassment complaint from a minor wrestler, citing the absence of corroborative evidence.
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