Delhi court clears Brij Bhushan in wrestlers sexual harassment case

A Delhi court on Monday gave a clean chit to former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers, including world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat. The court cited lack of evidence and contradictory testimonies as the reason for acquitting Singh. Besides the former BJP MP, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar also acquitted former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the high-profile case dating back to 2023.

The media was barred from the in-camera proceeding, where the verdict was pronounced. Details of the judgment are expected on Tuesday.

Expressing relief, Singh said, “On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself. The court has now honourably acquitted me. I am happy and grateful to my lawyers. For now, this is all I can say. I will comment further after going through the court’s reasoned order.”

Meanwhile, Phogat said they would file an appeal against the decision and it would be filed as soon as possible. “From the very beginning, the entire administration, the Government, and the system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan Singh. We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the allegations of sexual violence made by the women wrestlers”, Phogat posted on X. The same statement was also posted by Bajrang Punia on X.

In April-May 2023, women wrestlers protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh, then WFI chief, of sexually harassing women wrestlers. Phogat, along with wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Punia, sat on a 36-day sit-in.

The controversy prompted Singh to step down from the WFI following the completion of his tenure.

The Supreme Court had taken note of the plea of seven wrestlers, following which Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh.

Senior advocate Rebecca John, who appeared for four of the women, voiced surprise at his comment and said, “How can he come to the conclusion that the court acquitted Brij Bhushan Singh based on inconsistencies by the complainant victims when the order is not available... and we are all waiting for the order? Secondly, detailed arguments had taken place where I had contradicted the defence arguments to show that the inconsistencies were minor in nature and did not affect the credibility of witnesses.” John described the judgment of acquittal as “deeply, deeply disturbing”.

The police filed a chargesheet against Singh and Tomar in June 2023 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

A separate FIR lodged by a minor wrestler was later closed following a police investigation. A Delhi court framed charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women against Singh in May 2024 and criminal intimidation against Tomar. The court discharged Singh in a complaint filed by one of the six women wrestlers, citing lack of sufficient evidence to back her claim. The trial began the following month. In May 2025, the court accepted the police closure report in the minor wrestler’s case.