Vinesh Phogat: Wrestlers Plan to Challenge Court's Clean Chit for Brij Bhushan, Keeping Hope Alive

In a significant development for Indian sports, a Delhi court has acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and ex-BJP Member of Parliament, of all charges in a high-profile sexual harassment case brought forth by female wrestlers. Alongside him, Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of WFI, was also cleared of all allegations. The ruling was delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar at the Rouse Avenue Courts on Monday.

The verdict has sparked immediate reactions from prominent wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who expressed their profound disappointment. Both athletes, who have been vocal advocates for the rights of women in wrestling, announced their intention to appeal the decision in a higher court. They emphasized the challenges they faced while bringing their allegations against a powerful political figure.

In a joint statement following the court's ruling, Vinesh and Bajrang reflected on the courage it took to publicly confront Brij Bhushan. They noted, "We had to gather a lot of courage to take to the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful politician of the ruling party. Using power and muscle power, Brij Bhushan intimidated many girls into withdrawing their names." Their statement underscored the resilience of the women wrestlers who continued to fight for justice despite facing significant pressure.

Vinesh further alleged that the state machinery had worked to protect Brij Bhushan since the allegations first emerged, suggesting a systemic failure to support the complainants. Despite the unfavorable ruling from the trial court, Vinesh confirmed that the legal team representing the women wrestlers has been directed to file an appeal promptly.

The case originated from widespread protests led by some of India's most celebrated wrestlers, including Vinesh, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang, in early 2023. These athletes demanded the arrest of Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment that reportedly spanned several years. Following a Supreme Court intervention, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs and submitted a comprehensive 1,500-page chargesheet in June 2023, detailing various offenses under the Indian Penal Code.

While Brij Bhushan expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, claiming he had been "acquitted with honour," the legal battle is set to continue as the complainants prepare to escalate their fight in the High Court.