Delhi court says allegations against Brij Bhushan were politically motivated
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A Delhi court, while acquitting former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, said allegations of sexual harassment made by six women wrestlers were false, fabricated and appeared to be politically motivated.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of Rouse Avenue Courts, in an August 3 order, said the allegations appeared to have been rehearsed, well-practised and planted. The court also noted that complaints were filed long after the alleged incidents.
Seven complainants, including a minor, had accused Singh of demanding sexual favours in return for professional assistance and alleged 15 incidents of molestation and other forms of sexual harassment.
Several prominent wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, began protesting against Singh in January 2023.
Panwar said two complainants had categorically admitted that Singh had not sexually harassed them. The court also noted that some complainants had maintained cordial relations with Singh for years and had invited him to family functions and weddings.
The judge said the continued cordial relations were difficult to reconcile with the allegations, particularly given the complainants' claim that Singh could have harmed their careers.
The court also pointed to inconsistencies in some accounts, including differences over the country and year in which alleged incidents occurred. It said these changes in the initial versions of the witnesses were damaging to the prosecution's case.
Singh and his co-accused, former wrestling federation assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, were acquitted of all charges on August 3. Singh had faced charges including outraging a woman's modesty, making sexually coloured remarks, stalking and criminal intimidation. Tomar faced a criminal intimidation charge.
Vinesh Phogat said the complainants were disappointed with the verdict and would appeal. She alleged that the government and establishment had sought to protect Singh, but said the wrestlers would continue their legal fight.