Wrestlers challenge verdict acquitting Brij Bhushan, Vinod Tomar in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have moved the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a high-profile sexual harassment case.

The appeal is scheduled to come up for its first hearing on Saturday, September 26, before Special Judge (MP-MLA Cases) Dig Vinay Singh.

The petitioners have challenged the August 3, 2026, judgment that acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of the charges. In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the trial court's findings were based on an erroneous and selective appreciation of the evidence presented during the proceedings.

One of the principal grounds raised in the appeal is that the court allegedly relied on what the petitioners describe as an archaic "ideal victim" standard while assessing the testimony of the complainants. They contend that the judgment unfairly questioned the women's conduct and responses against stereotypical expectations of how a victim of sexual harassment should behave.

The appeal also alleges that the trial court relied on conjectures and surmises instead of applying established principles governing the assessment of evidence in criminal cases.

Delhi court acquits ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh in sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers

The proceedings stem from the protests staged by some of India's leading wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in 2023, when they publicly accused Singh of sexual harassment. Following the protests, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in 2023, and charges were framed by the trial court in 2024.

In its August 2026 verdict, the trial court acquitted Singh and Tomar after concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The fresh appeal now seeks judicial scrutiny of that verdict, particularly the manner in which the evidence and testimony of the complainants were evaluated. The court is expected to consider the petition at its first hearing on September 26.