Opposition Targets BJP After Brij Bhushan Singh Acquittal; Wrestlers to Challenge Verdict

A fresh political row has erupted after a Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers. Opposition parties accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding influential leaders, while the wrestlers said they would move a higher court to challenge the verdict. The controversy resurfaced just hours after the court cleared Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in witness testimonies. The judgment brought legal relief to the former WFI chief but immediately sparked political criticism from opposition leaders.

Several opposition leaders alleged that the verdict had exposed what they described as the BJP's "true face," claiming the ruling party failed to stand with women athletes who had accused Singh of sexual harassment. They argued that the case reflected a broader issue of accountability when allegations are made against politically influential figures.

The BJP, however, maintained that the court's decision should be respected, emphasizing that the matter had gone through the judicial process. Party leaders accused the opposition of attempting to politicize a court verdict instead of accepting the legal outcome. Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat said the complainants were disappointed with the ruling and would file an appeal before a higher court. She asserted that the wrestlers' fight for justice was not over and that they would continue pursuing legal remedies. Other prominent wrestlers associated with the protests also backed the decision to challenge the acquittal.

The case dates back to 2023, when several leading Indian wrestlers, including Olympians and international medal winners, accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI president. Their protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar drew nationwide attention and triggered widespread debate over athlete safety, governance in sports bodies, and the handling of complaints against powerful officials. The Supreme Court's intervention eventually led to the registration of FIRs and a formal investigation.

After a prolonged trial, the Delhi court acquitted Singh and Vinod Tomar, concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Singh has consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings and welcomed the verdict, maintaining that he had been falsely accused. Although the trial has concluded, the legal battle is expected to continue with the proposed appeal. At the same time, the political debate surrounding the case is likely to remain active, with opposition parties continuing to question the BJP's handling of the issue while the ruling party points to the court's judgment as evidence that due legal process has prevailed.