New Delhi: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said the allegations against him were part of a conspiracy and asserted that he would have accepted the consequences if they had been proven true.

Singh welcomed the Rouse Avenue Court's decision to acquit him and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the alleged sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. He said he had complete faith in the judicial process and maintained that he never felt guilty.

"I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day, I've stood by that statement. Today, after almost three years, the court has honourably acquitted me and Vinod," Singh said.

Also read: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted in women wrestlers' sexual harassment case  

"People had demanded that I be hanged and burnt alive. They should now introspect, and they will receive a response at the right time," he said.

The former WFI chief said he had always supported people whose rights were violated and described the verdict as a victory in the fight for junior athletes.

"I always stood up for those who were weak, those whose rights were violated. I had complete faith that justice would be done to me, and I never felt guilty. We were fighting for the junior athletes whose rights were being violated, and I am happy that we won that fight," he added.

Following his acquittal, Singh was welcomed by supporters at his residence, where flower petals were showered and crackers were burst in celebration of the court's verdict.

Singh's lawyer Rajiv Mohan said the court's detailed order was awaited and that further details would be available once a copy was received.

"... The court has not yet received a copy of the order. Once it is received, we can inform on what basis the court arrived at its conclusion. The arguments we presented have been accepted..." Mohan told reporters.

The case originated from allegations made by women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against him in 2023, alleging offences including sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against women and criminal intimidation. Tomar was also named as a co-accused.

The court had scheduled August 3 for the pronouncement of the verdict in the case, with proceedings held in a closed courtroom. After hearing final arguments from both sides, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar reserved the order after considering submissions from the prosecution and defence.

The court had also directed the counsels to submit their written arguments within two weeks.

During the final hearing, senior advocate Rebecca John presented arguments on behalf of the complainants, while the defence team led by Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati, completed its submissions on June 30.

The case was linked to an FIR registered by Delhi Police following a protest by women wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, where allegations of sexual harassment during Singh's tenure as WFI chief were raised.

Delhi Police had earlier filed a 1,500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, after completing its investigation. The chargesheet invoked Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code.

During the trial, the court had recorded the statement of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) member on May 12, along with the deposition of the investigating officer.

Singh and Tomar had been facing trial over allegations made by women wrestlers from India and abroad, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure at the helm of the Wrestling Federation of India. (ANI)