'We Are Deeply Saddened': Vinesh Phogat Says Wrestlers To Appeal Brij Bhushan Acquittal

Published 3 August 2026 · local

'We Are Deeply Saddened': Vinesh Phogat Says Wrestlers To Appeal Brij Bhushan Acquittal Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 13:53 IST Vinesh Phogat said

'We Are Deeply Saddened': Vinesh Phogat Says Wrestlers To Appeal Brij Bhushan Acquittal Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 13:53 IST Vinesh Phogat said female wrestlers will challenge a Delhi court's decision to acquit Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case. Rapid Read VineshPhogat (left) and Brij Bhushan Singh (PTI/ANII World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat has said the female wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will challenge a Delhi court’s decision of acquitting him, asserting that they have “not lost hope" and will continue their fight. A Delhi court on Monday acquitted Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by the female wrestlers. CWG 2026: Full Coverage | Medals Tally Reacting to the verdict, Phogat said the wrestlers have already instructed their lawyers to move an appeal.

“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," she wrote in a post on X. Phogat also expressed disappointment over the court’s decision, saying the wrestlers had shown immense courage in pursuing the case against a powerful political figure. “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," she said. The Congress MLA from Haryana further alleged that the government and the system had worked to shield Singh throughout the case. “From the very beginning, the entire administration, the government, and the system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan," she said.

Phogat also claimed that Singh used his political influence to pressure some complainants into withdrawing. “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," she alleged. Despite this, she said, several women wrestlers continued to pursue the case in court. “However, many women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting against Brij Bhushan in court," Phogat added. The case stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment levelled by several women wrestlers against Singh, who headed the WFI for over a decade. The wrestlers’ protests in 2023 had sparked nationwide attention and calls for action against the former federation chief. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Feroz Khan Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent.