Vinesh Phogat claims system shielded Brij Bhushan Singh
Vinesh Phogat to appeal against the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Former Indian Wrestling Federation (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's acquittal will be challenged by female wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Vinesh Phogat alleged that from the beginning of the case, "the entire government machinery, the government, and the system have been trying to save Brij Bhushan."
In a statement released after the verdict on Monday, Vinesh Phogat alleged,
"Throughout the case, officials tried to protect former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She confirmed that the female wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this decision."
Vinesh wrote,
"It took a lot of courage for us to take to the streets and file an FIR against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using his influence in the government and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated many girls, causing them to withdraw their names from the case. Despite this, many female wrestlers stood firm and continued their fight against Brij Bhushan in court."
Announcing the next legal steps, Phogat said, "The female wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this decision, and the appeal will be filed as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight."
Vinesh Phogat's statement came hours after the decision by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused and former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers.
Bajrang Punia, who played an active role in the protest along with Vinesh Phogat in 2023, also shared the same post on his account and expressed his disagreement with the verdict. Vinesh also alleged that throughout the legal proceedings, the power structure worked to protect former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
She said,
"From the beginning, the entire system, government, and power structure have been trying to save Brij Bhushan." 'We have not lost hope'
This acquittal of Brij Bhushan comes months after Vinesh's public revelation that she was one of the six complainants in the case. Vinesh had earlier stated that during the trial, she decided not to reveal her identity publicly due to the Supreme Court's guidelines on protecting the identity of women who file sexual harassment complaints.
After the case began in 2023, protests continued for several months. These protests were led by Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia. The wrestlers demanded the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his removal from the WFI President post.
Notably, in January 2023, Olympians and leading wrestlers of the country, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, began a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. They accused the then WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and misuse of position. The wrestlers demanded his removal from the post. After discussions with the then Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the Union Sports Ministry formed an Oversight Committee to investigate the allegations. Following this, the wrestlers temporarily suspended their protest. In April 2023, the wrestlers resumed their protest, alleging that no action was taken on the committee's findings. They then resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar.
After the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The first FIR was based on complaints from six adult female wrestlers, including charges related to sexual harassment, outraging a woman's modesty, and stalking under the IPC. The second FIR was filed under the POCSO Act based on a complaint from a minor wrestler. On 28 May 2023, the protesting wrestlers attempted to march towards the newly constructed Parliament building, but Delhi Police detained them. A few days later, the wrestlers announced their decision to immerse their medals in the Ganges. However, after intervention by farmer leaders and discussions with the central government, they suspended their protest.
On 15 June 2023, Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in the case related to adult female wrestlers. Meanwhile, in the separate POCSO case related to the minor complainant, the police filed a closure report. In July 2023, a Delhi court took cognizance of the charges, after which the trial process in the case proceeded. The trial court framed charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in May 2024 in the case related to five complainants. Meanwhile, a charge of criminal intimidation was framed against former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar in one complaint. Both pleaded not guilty and denied the charges. A Delhi court accepted the police's closure report in the POCSO case related to the minor complainant. The minor complainant's father had sought to withdraw the charges. The prosecution examined a total of 32 witnesses and completed its evidence in May 2026. The statements of the accused were recorded in June. Final arguments in the case concluded on 2 July 2026.