Delhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Singh in Women Wrestlers Harassment Case

A Delhi court on Monday cleared former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh of criminal charges in the widely discussed case involving allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. The court also acquitted co accused Vinod Tomar, bringing an end to the criminal proceedings after a lengthy legal process.

While delivering its verdict, the Rouse Avenue Court observed that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. The judgment noted a lack of convincing evidence and pointed to inconsistencies in the statements presented during the course of the trial, leading to the acquittal of both accused.

The case had drawn nationwide attention in 2023 when several prominent wrestlers launched a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, alleging harassment and demanding action against the former federation chief. The demonstrations received widespread public support and became one of the most debated issues in Indian sports.

Olympians and international medal winners, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, participated in the movement seeking an independent investigation. The protests intensified after the athletes alleged delays in official action, and images of police stopping demonstrators during a march toward Parliament circulated widely across the country.

During the investigation, complaints filed by multiple women wrestlers formed the basis of the criminal case. Vinesh Phogat later confirmed that she was among the complainants, explaining that her identity had remained undisclosed earlier in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the privacy of alleged victims in such cases.

An earlier case registered under the POCSO Act had already been closed after the minor complainant withdrew her allegations. With the latest judgment, all criminal proceedings against Brij Bhushan Singh have now concluded. Reacting to the verdict, Singh reiterated that he had consistently denied the allegations and expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision declaring him not guilty.