Delhi Court Grants Brij Bhushan More Time to Respond to Wrestlers’ Appeal Against Acquittal

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts granted the respondents additional time to file their replies and scheduled the next hearing for October 28. Brij Bhushan appeared in person before the sessions court.

The appeal challenges the trial court’s August 3 judgment acquitting both men after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The four wrestlers have argued that the acquittal was legally unsustainable and that the evidence on record was not properly assessed. Their appeal also challenges Tomar’s acquittal on a charge of criminal intimidation under Section 506 Part I of the Indian Penal Code, brought by one of the complainants.

On September 28, the Rouse Avenue Court had issued notices to Brij Bhushan and Tomar, directing them to respond by October 9.

The case stems from protests staged by wrestlers at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in January 2023. Several prominent athletes, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment and intimidation and demanded his resignation as WFI chief. The controversy led to an inquiry committee being constituted following a complaint to Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, while the Union Sports Ministry suspended the federation’s functioning.

In May 2024, the trial court framed charges against Brij Bhushan relating to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers. He pleaded not guilty and opted to face trial.

The appeal is separate from the POCSO case filed over allegations by a minor wrestler. In May 2025, a Delhi court accepted the police cancellation report after investigators said they had found no corroborative evidence supporting the allegations.

After the acquittal, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia expressed disappointment and indicated that the decision would be challenged. Brij Bhushan welcomed the verdict, calling it a “victory of the junior players”.