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Four female wrestlers challenged a trial court verdict that acquitted the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and an aide in a high-profile sexual harassment case
The challenge stems from an August judgment wherein a magisterial court acquitted the former BJP lawmaker and WFI official, citing a lack of proof beyond reasonable doubt. File image
A sessions court in Delhi has issued formal notices to former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. The order follows an appeal filed by four female wrestlers challenging the trial court’s verdict that acquitted the duo in a high-profile sexual harassment case.
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts also directed the state to submit its response, scheduling the next hearing for October 9.
Key Legal Arguments Raised in the Appeal
The petitionersrepresented by a senior legal team, contended that the lower court’s verdict was legally unsustainable and relied on a “manifestly erroneous and selective appreciation” of the evidence on record. The appeal asserts that the magisterial court erred by relying on outdated and stereotypical assumptions regarding how victims of sexual harassment are expected to behave.
Furthermore, the wrestlers argued that minor inconsistencies and delays in reporting should not have been used to discredit the core allegations without properly considering the professional power dynamics and circumstances under which the alleged harassment occurred.
Context Behind the Magisterial Verdict
The challenge stems from an August judgment wherein a magisterial court acquitted the former BJP lawmaker and WFI officialciting a lack of proof beyond reasonable doubt. The lower court had highlighted contradictions in witness statements and pointed to an absence of contemporaneous complaints during its assessment.
At A Glance
A Delhi sessions court issued formal notices to former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.
The order follows an appeal by four female wrestlers challenging their acquittal in a sexual harassment case.
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts scheduled the next hearing for October 9.
The petitioners argued the lower court’s verdict was legally unsustainable and relied on erroneous appreciation of evidence.
The court directed original affidavits with victims’ names be placed in a sealed envelope to safeguard identities.
In addition to challenging the primary acquittal, the appeal specifically targets the dismissal of criminal intimidation charges against Tomar, seeking a comprehensive judicial review of the trial proceedings.
Directives on Privacy and Next Steps
To safeguard the identity of the complainants, the court directed that original affidavits containing the victims’ names be placed in a sealed envelope, ensuring that all public case records remain appropriately redacted.
With the formal notices served, the court expects detailed written replies from Singh, Tomar, and law enforcement agencies when proceedings resume on October 9.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Four female wrestlers filed an appeal arguing that the trial court’s August verdict acquitting Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar was legally unsustainable and relied on a manifestly erroneous and selective appreciation of evidence. They contended that the lower court wrongly relied on stereotypical assumptions about victim behavior and improperly used reporting delays to discredit core allegations without considering power dynamics.
Ask News18About the Author
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
September 30, 2026, 04:50 IST
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