New Delhi: A Delhi court Friday granted former chief of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, time to file his reply to an appeal by four women wrestlers challenging his acquittal in a sexual harassment case. Special judge Dig Vinay Singh posted the matter for Oct 28.On Sept 28, the court had issued notices to Singh, the state and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar.When the court asked Delhi Police whether it would file an appeal, the public prosecutor said it had yet to decide and sought 15 days to inform the court. Judge Singh said the court would hold proceedings in camera once arguments begin. The former WFI chief was present in court during the hearing.On Aug 3, a magisterial court acquitted Singh, a former BJP MP, in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers, including world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, citing lack of evidence.The court had observed that several photographs on record showed Singh had been invited to family functions and wedding ceremonies by the complainants.It also said that while it was understandable that Singh, being the then WFI president, could allegedly have jeopardised the wrestlers’ careers had they complained against him, it was “not at all understandable” why they maintained cordial relations with him for years.A criminal appeal filed on Sept 25 challenged the acquittal, arguing that it was unsustainable in law and based on a “manifestly erroneous and selective appreciation” of the evidence. The appeal further alleged that the decision proceeded on conjectures and surmises and “failed to apply binding and well-settled principles of law.”
