World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Monday said the women wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will challenge a Delhi court's decision acquitting him, asserting that they have not lost hope and will continue their legal fight.
A Delhi court on Monday acquitted Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, former WFI assistant secretary, in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.
Reacting to the verdict, Phogat accused the administration and government of shielding Singh from the outset.
"From the very beginning, the entire administration, the government, and the system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan," Phogat posted on 'X'.
"We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations of sexual violence made by the women wrestlers.
"The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this decision, and the appeal will be filed as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight," Bhogat said.
Phogat, who along with Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia spearheaded the 36-day protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in April-May 2023, also alleged that Singh used his influence to pressure complainants.
"We had to gather a lot of courage to come out onto the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using his influence and political power, Brij Bhushan intimidated several girls into withdrawing their names.
"However, many women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting against Brij Bhushan in court," she said.
Punia shared the same statement on his 'X' handle.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted former BJP MP Singh and Tomar after reserving the verdict on July 2 following the conclusion of final arguments.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Singh welcomed the verdict, describing it as an honourable acquittal.
"On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself. The court has now honourably acquitted me. I am happy and grateful to my lawyers," he said.
"For now, this is all I can say. I will comment further after going through the court's reasoned order," the ex-BJP MP added.
The case stemmed from complaints filed by six women wrestlers, following which Delhi Police registered an FIR against Singh on June 15, 2023. The chargesheet invoked IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
One of the complainants, a minor, later withdrew her allegations. In May last year, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police's cancellation report, closing the POCSO case related to her complaint.
Public prosecutor Manish Rawat said the prosecution would examine the detailed judgment before deciding its next course of action.
"Appropriate action" would be taken before the higher courts after examining the detailed order, he said.
The prosecution has the option of challenging the magistrate court's verdict before the Delhi High Court.