- Vinesh Phogat broke her silence after a Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case, saying the women wrestlers will challenge the verdict and continue their legal fight.
- The women wrestlers were deeply disappointed that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the sexual harassment allegations.
- Bajrang Punia, an active participant in the 2023 protests alongside Vinesh, re-shared her post on his account, showing disapproval of the verdict.
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh welcomed the acquittal, reiterating that he had maintained his innocence from the beginning and saying he was "very happy", while the complainants are expected to move a higher court.
- Vinesh Phogat said the acquittal was due to Brij Bhushan's political influence, adding that it took great courage to get an FIR registered and that Brij Bhushan used political influence and muscle power to intimidate several women into withdrawing complaints.
- On social media, Vinesh Phogat alleged that the "entire system" had worked to shield Brij Bhushan and accused the establishment of protecting the former WFI chief throughout the proceedings.
- The complainants have instructed their lawyers to appeal against the verdict, saying the appeal will be filed at the earliest and that they have not lost hope.
Vinesh Phogat has expressed her outrage following a Delhi court's decision to acquit Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former Wrestling Federation of India chief, in a sexual harassment case. Phogat stated that the women wrestlers would not relent and are set to appeal the verdict.1256789101112
In her social media statement, Vinesh accused the entire system of protecting Singh, asserting, "From the very beginning, the entire system, the government, and the establishment have been working to protect Brij Bhushan." She emphasized that Singh's acquittal was a result of his political influence, stating, "It took a great deal of courage for us to take to the streets and get an FIR registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party."
Despite the court's ruling, Vinesh and other wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia, who also protested against Singh, are determined to continue their fight. Vinesh confirmed that the complainants have instructed their legal team to appeal, saying, "We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight."41314
The case, which ignited widespread protests in 2023, has now entered a new phase as the wrestlers prepare to challenge the verdict in a higher court. Singh, for his part, welcomed the acquittal, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings, stating, "I said on the very first day that if the allegations are true, I will hang myself."
“Brij Bhushan welcomed the verdict, saying he was 'very happy' and had maintained his innocence from the start. Bajrang Punia re-shared Vinesh Phogat's post in disapproval, while complainants have instructed lawyers to file an appeal at the earliest.”
