Sexual harassment case: Brij Bhushan welcomes court's acquittal

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and ex-assistant secretary Vinod Tomar were acquitted in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers. Singh welcomed the verdict, saying he was 'acquitted with honour' and it was a 'happy day'.

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday welcomed the court's decision to acquit him and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. Speaking after the verdict, Singh added that he had maintained from the beginning that he would accept the consequences if any allegation against him was proved.

Brij Bhushan Singh Welcomes Acquittal

Calling the verdict a matter of joy for himself and his supporters, the former WFI chief thanked his legal team. Singh said he would wait for the court's detailed judgment before commenting further on the matter. "On the first day, when my first statement came, I had said that if any verdict or any charge is proven, I will hang myself. Today, the court acquitted me with honour. It is a matter of joy for me and my supporters... Today is a happy day," Singh said.

Case Background and Chargesheet

The case stemmed from allegations made by women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh in 2023, alleging offences including sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against women and criminal intimidation. Tomar was also named as a co-accused in the case.

Court Proceedings

Last month, the court had fixed August 3 as the date for the pronouncement of judgment in the matter linked to allegations raised by women wrestlers. The proceedings were conducted in a closed courtroom.

After the completion of the final arguments from both sides, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar reserved the judgment after hearing detailed submissions from the prosecution and defence. The court has also directed the counsels to file their written submissions within two weeks.

During the final argument, senior advocate Rebecca John advanced arguments on behalf of the complainants, while the defence team led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, completed their submissions on June 30.

The case is linked to an FIR registered by Delhi Police following a protest by women wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, where allegations of sexual harassment during Singh's tenure as WFI chief were raised. Earlier, Delhi Police had filed a 1500-page charge sheet on June 15, 2023, after completing its investigation into the allegations. The charge sheet invoked provisions under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.

The court had earlier recorded the statement of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) member on May 12 along with the deposition of the investigating officer during the course of trial proceedings. The accused have been facing trial in connection with allegations made by women wrestlers from India and abroad, who had accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure at the helm of the Wrestling Federation of India. (ANI)

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