New Delhi, 25 September (H.S.): Four women wrestlers have challenged before the Sessions Court at Rouse Avenue Court the trial court’s order acquitting former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI secretary Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh will hear the petitions on September 26.

The four women wrestlers have challenged before the Sessions Court the August 3 order passed by the Magistrate’s Court at Rouse Avenue Court. The wrestlers have contended that the Magistrate’s order was erroneous and that the decision was based on selective evidence. The petitions further allege that the Magistrate’s Court overlooked established legal procedures.

In its August 3 order, the Magistrate’s Court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar, citing, among other considerations, the prolonged silence of the women wrestlers and their continued normal interactions with the accused. In the case, the chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police invoked Sections 354, 354D, 354A and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.

During the proceedings, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s side had argued that he was not in India on September 7, 2022, the date of the alleged incident. Brij Bhushan’s counsel, Rajiv Mohan, had submitted that the report of the Oversight Committee had been forwarded by the Central Government to the Delhi Police Commissioner.

Rajiv Mohan had also submitted that the women wrestlers’ first protest took place at Jantar Mantar on January 18, 2023. On January 19, 2023, one of the wrestlers met the government and said that she wanted to present her case before the authorities.

During the hearing, advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the women wrestlers, had argued that the Oversight Committee had not been constituted in accordance with the prescribed rules. She had further submitted that charges should be framed under the same provisions under which the chargesheet had been filed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar