In a stern judicial intervention, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh a final opportunity to submit his formal response to an appeal challenging his acquittal in the high-profile sexual harassment case. Emphasizing that judicial timelines cannot be deferred indefinitely, the bench made it unequivocally clear that no further extensions will be entertained if the defence fails to place its submissions on record within the granted grace period.

Court Draws the Line Over Delayed Submissions

The directive came during proceedings presided over by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh. When the matter was called, defence counsel representing the former BJP parliamentarian appeared virtually and sought an additional week’s time to draft and file the formal reply. Taking note of previous notices issued in September that had remained unanswered, the court firmly cautioned that this would serve as Singh’s last and final chance to present his stand. The bench subsequently listed the matter for its next comprehensive hearing on November 20.

Wrestlers Challenge Lower Court’s Acquittal Order

The ongoing legal confrontation stems from a petition filed by prominent women wrestlers challenging the August 3 ruling delivered by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM). The trial court had acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of charges related to sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation following closed-door proceedings. Contending that crucial testimonies and corroborative evidence were improperly weighed, the athletes moved the appellate court on September 25 seeking to overturn the trial court’s judgment.

What Lies Ahead in the November 20 Hearing

With the deadline now set in stone, the court has signaled its intent to expedite the appellate review. The Delhi Police has separately been questioned on whether the state machinery intends to appeal the acquittal. The upcoming November 20 hearing is expected to see arguments on whether the trial court committed legal errors warranting a reversal or retrial, marking another decisive chapter in the legal struggle initiated by India’s top wrestling champions.