# Delhi court seeks Brij Bhushan response on wrestlers’ appeal

2026-09-28T15:56:40+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

A Delhi sessions court on Monday issued notice to former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, seeking their response to an appeal filed by four women wrestlers challenging their acquittal in a sexual harassment case. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh also issued notice to Delhi Police and posted the matter for further hearing on October 9. The wrestlers, including world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat, filed the criminal appeal on September 25 challenging the August 3 acquittal by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who cited lack of evidence. The magisterial court had noted the complainants' prolonged silence, continued cordial relations with the accused, and contradictions in their testimony as creating reasonable doubt. The appeal, filed through senior advocate Rebecca John, argues the acquittal is 'unsustainable in law' and based on 'manifestly erroneous and selective appreciation' of evidence. It alleges the judgment relied on 'archaic and stereotypical assumptions' about how victims of sexual assault should behave, rather than an evidence-based assessment of their circumstances.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources report the same development neutrally: a court notice and the appeal's arguments. Times of India provides the most detailed account of the wrestlers' legal challenge, quoting their criticism of the magisterial court's reasoning as relying on 'archaic and stereotypical assumptions'. National Herald India adds context about the earlier protests and the separate POCSO case where a cancellation report was accepted. The uniform straight reporting means the core tension is legal: the magisterial court saw inconsistencies and cordial relations as fatal to the prosecution, while the appeal argues these are common survivor behaviours. The sessions court's October 9 hearing will be the next procedural milestone.

## Coverage

- nationalheraldindia.com (neutral report) <https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/delhi-court-seeks-brij-bhushans-response-to-wrestlers-appeal-against-acquittal>
  Straight factual account of court proceedings with background context
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/brij-bhushan-case-takes-fresh-turn-delhi-court-seeks-response-to-wrestlers-acquittal-challenge/articleshow/134545910.cms>
  Concise neutral report of court order and appeal claims
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/wrestlers-plea-against-acquittal-court-issues-notice-to-brij-bhushan/articleshow/134548455.cms>
  Concise neutral report of court order and appeal claims

Tags: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Delhi court, sexual harassment, Vinesh Phogat, Wrestling Federation of India
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