Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Acquitted in Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case by Delhi Court

A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by several women wrestlers, bringing to a close one of the country's most high-profile legal battles involving Indian sports. The judgment was delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court after the completion of trial proceedings that were conducted in camera. The court also acquitted former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, who had been named as a co-accused in the case.

The case originated in 2023 after a group of leading women wrestlers accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as the Wrestling Federation of India chief. The allegations triggered nationwide protests led by several prominent wrestlers at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, prompting widespread public debate over athlete safety, governance in sports bodies, and accountability.

Following the protests, Delhi Police registered FIRs against Singh after intervention by the Supreme Court and later filed a chargesheet. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence and witness testimonies, while the defence denied all allegations and argued that the accusations were unsubstantiated.

After examining the evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, the court held that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the acquittal of both accused. Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said the court's decision had vindicated his stand and maintained that he had consistently denied the allegations from the beginning of the case.

The verdict marks the legal conclusion of a case that significantly impacted Indian wrestling and led to major discussions on the functioning of sports federations, athlete welfare, and mechanisms for addressing complaints of harassment. While the criminal proceedings have now ended, the controversy is expected to remain a defining chapter in the recent history of Indian sports administration.