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Women Wrestlers Move Delhi Court, Challenge Brij Bhushan's Acquittal in Harassment Case
The wrestlers argue the court relied on stereotypes and selective evidence after 32 prosecution witnesses were examined.
Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, with the appeal scheduled for hearing at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar previously ruled the allegations were "false and fabricated" and "seem to be politically motivated," citing that complainants gave "wrong" details about incident timing and location.
In their appeal, the wrestlers argue the trial court applied an "ideal victim standard" and relied on "archaic and stereotypical assumptions" regarding how victims "should" behave, rather than fairly assessing evidence.
The petition further contends the court "repeatedly treats the absence of retaliation" as proof allegations are false, ignoring that victims feared career loss and the order proceeds on "conjectures and surmises."
Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh is scheduled to hear the appeal on Saturday at 10 am, following a trial that lasted more than three years and examined 32 prosecution witnesses.