Full Breakdown
Women Wrestlers Appeal Against Acquittal of Former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Criminal Revision Petition and Court Notice
On September 28 2026, a Delhi court issued notice on a criminal revision petition filed by four women wrestlers. The petition challenges the August 3 2026 magisterial acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in a sexual-harassment case, and contests Tomar’s acquittal on a criminal-intimidation charge. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh listed the matter for further proceedings on October 9 2026.
Background & Context
Six wrestlers—including World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik, and Commonwealth champion Bajrang Punia—filed complaints alleging sexual harassment by Singh between 2016 and 2019. After a Supreme Court-ordered intervention, the Delhi Police registered two FIRs on April 28 2023 and filed a chargesheet on June 15 2023 under IPC sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1). The trial court framed charges on May 10 2024. The magisterial court acquitted Singh and Tomar on August 3 2026, citing insufficient proof.
Timeline of Legal Proceedings
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 28 2023 | FIRs registered |
| June 15 2023 | Chargesheet filed |
| July 7 2023 | Court took cognizance |
| July 20 2023 | Bail granted |
| May 10 2024 | Charges framed |
| August 3 2026 | Acquittal |
| September 25 2026 | Revision petition filed |
| September 28 2026 | Notice issued |
| October 9 2026 (scheduled) | Next hearing |
Data & Statistics
- Four wrestlers filed the current appeal.
- The chargesheet listed offences under IPC 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1).
- The magisterial judgment noted inconsistencies in the complainants’ accounts.
Official Statements & Responses
- Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar (August 3 2026) described the allegations as “false and fabricated,” calling them a “deep conspiracy” and noting the complainants’ cordial relations with Singh.
- The petition argues the judgment relied on “conjectures and surmises” rather than evidence.
Criticism by Petitioners
The appellants say the court gave undue weight to the delay in filing complaints and to the wrestlers’ continued professional contact with Singh, applying an “ideal-victim standard” not grounded in law.
Verbatim Quote
- “The allegations appear to be imperfect to be true, seem rehearsed and well-practised as well as planted…” — The court
What’s Next
The revision petition will be heard on October 9 2026 before Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh. The court will examine whether the August 3 acquittal was legally sound.