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Delhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Singh in Sexual Harassment Case, Calls Allegations Politically Motivated
In a significant ruling, the
in Delhi acquitted former
chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of all charges in a sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. The verdict, delivered on
by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, not only dismissed the prosecution's case but also described the allegations as "false and fabricated" and part of a
"deep conspiracy which seems to be politically motivated."
The decision has sent ripples through the legal and sporting communities, with the complainants vowing to appeal.
The Case and Its Origins
The case stemmed from allegations raised in by prominent Indian wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia. The athletes staged a 36-day protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh—then the WFI president and a BJP MP—of sexually harassing women wrestlers, including a minor. filed a in under provisions of the relating to (), sexual harassment (), and (). The trial court framed charges against Singh in , and Tomar was separately charged with .
During the trial, the prosecution's case suffered a major blow when two of the five complainant wrestlers turned hostile, denying any sexual harassment and alleging that their earlier statements were made under pressure. Additionally, a separate complaint by a minor was withdrawn, leading to a cancellation report in the case. Despite these setbacks, the trial proceeded to a full hearing, culminating in the .
Court's Key Findings: Contradictions and Credibility
In a detailed 239-page judgment, ACJM Panwar meticulously dissected the evidence, flagging several "
" in the accounts of witnesses and complainants. The court noted that one complainant provided inconsistent versions regarding the location and year of an alleged incident—first stating it occurred in Turkey in 2015, then later altering it to Mongolia in 2016. This discrepancy, the court held, was not a minor variation but
"fatal to the prosecution case."
The judgment also questioned the absence of contemporaneous complaints. Despite some incidents allegedly occurring in public places with multiple witnesses present, no one came forward to corroborate the allegations. The court observed,
"It is not the natural conduct of the persons surrounding and watching her suffer; the least they could have done was to get her out of that situation or confront the accused."
Further, the court pointed out that the complainants maintained "cordial relations" with Singh for years after the alleged incidents, even inviting him to family functions and weddings, which undermined the credibility of their claims.
Most strikingly, the court concluded that the entire edifice of accusations appeared fabricated. It observed that the allegations were
"strikingly similar, made at the same time, at a common place,"
and appeared
"rehearsed, well-practised as well as planned."
The judgment further stated that the complaints were
"tailor-made formal complaints drafted in a fancy manner"
and that the prosecution had "miserably failed" to prove the charges
.
The Role of
Central to the
was the testimony of two key witnesses who disavowed their earlier statements under
. They told the court they had been "forced/pressured" to level accusations. The court noted that nothing indicated these witnesses had been coerced by the accused to change their testimony. Instead, it found that they had been
"projected as victims right from the inception"
but later, after being counselled,
"categorically admitted that no sexual harassment acts were committed against them."
The judgment also highlighted that a conspiracy appeared to have been hatched by coaches of the
and other individuals. The court stated,
"There is no hitch in saying that the version given by the victims discredit the prosecution case completely and also show that the entire allegations are false and fabricated made collectively... in deep conspiracy which seems to be motivated politically."
Legal Analysis and Standards of Proof
This case underscores the fundamental principle in criminal law that the rests squarely on the prosecution. The court's scrutiny of the witnesses' credibility, the absence of prompt complaints, and the presence of contradictory narratives all contributed to the finding of reasonable doubt. While vigilant scrutiny of sexual harassment allegations is essential, the court's role is to ensure that guilt is established , not merely on the basis of statements that are later recanted.
The also highlights the critical impact of . When complainants withdraw their support, the prosecution's case can collapse unless substantial independent evidence exists. Here, the court found that the documentary and testimonial evidence was insufficient to overcome the improbabilities inherent in the allegations. The judge's observations about the "abnormal conduct" of complainants—failing to disclose incidents to senior authorities despite opportunities—further eroded the prosecution's narrative.
Implications for the Legal Community
This judgment offers a nuanced reminder that accusations alone cannot substitute for evidence. It reinforces the need for timely reporting and consistent accounts in sexual harassment cases. For legal practitioners, it emphasizes the importance of corroboration and the risks of relying solely on complainant testimony when witnesses later turn hostile. The case also demonstrates how political contexts can influence perceptions, though the court's analysis focused strictly on evidentiary standards.
The decision is likely to be appealed, and the appellate courts will face the delicate task of balancing the rights of the accused with the need to protect genuine victims. Meanwhile, the has sparked debates about the credibility of large-scale protests and the potential for misuse of criminal law in high-profile disputes.
Conclusion
The of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar marks a decisive end to a criminal trial that gripped the nation. While the complainants have expressed their intention to challenge the verdict, the trial court's meticulous reasoning, grounded in contradictions, , and the absence of credible evidence, leaves the prosecution with a steep uphill climb on appeal. As the legal battle continues, this case serves as a powerful illustration of the adage that in criminal law, it is far better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer—and that even the most high-profile allegations must ultimately be proven before a court of law.
