A Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts ruled that the allegations against the former BJP MP were “false and fabricated,” describing the case as part of a “deep conspiracy which seems to be politically motivated.”
Core Findings of the Court Order
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Rehearsed & Planted Claims: The court observed that the complaints appeared rehearsed, well-practiced, and incorporated into “tailormade formal complaints drafted in a fancy manner.”
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Role of Rohtak Academy: The order noted that the charges were orchestrated collectively at the instance of a female wrestler, a male wrestler, and coaches associated with the Mahadev Academy in Rohtak, Haryana.
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Hostile Witness Credibility: Out of five complainants on whose allegations charges had been framed, two survivors did not support the prosecution’s case, testifying that they were pressured into giving statements against the accused. The court found their retractions credible and untainted by coercion from the defense.
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Unexplained Delay & Lack of Contemporaneous Evidence: The court highlighted significant material contradictions, post-incident conduct inconsistent with the charges, and unexplained delays in lodging complaints following the alleged events.
Case Background & Key Milestones
Key Reactions
“I said on the very first day that if the allegations are true, I will hang myself. I am very happy that I have been acquitted. It is good news for me and my supporters.”
— Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Former WFI Chief
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Complainants’ Counsel: Senior Advocate Rebecca John, representing four of the complainants, described the acquittal as “deeply, deeply disturbing,” indicating that the decision would be challenged in a higher court.
