A Delhi court has acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a high-profile sexual harassment case. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court delivered the verdict on Monday, also clearing co-accused Vinod Tomar, a former assistant secretary of the WFI. The court proceedings, which were held in-camera, concluded after nearly two years of legal arguments regarding allegations brought forward by several prominent female wrestlers.
The case originated from a series of protests in 2023, where top athletes including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia staged sit-ins at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The complainants alleged that Mr. Singh had engaged in sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, his official residence, and during international tours. Following a Supreme Court intervention, the Delhi Police registered an FIR and subsequently filed a chargesheet exceeding 1,000 pages in June 2023.
During the trial, charges were framed in May 2024 against Mr. Singh for offences including assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation. However, the court ultimately found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense counsel cited inconsistencies and contradictions in the witness statements as primary reasons for the acquittal.
Following the verdict, Mr. Singh welcomed the decision as an honourable acquittal, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. Conversely, the complainant wrestlers expressed deep disappointment and announced their intention to challenge the ruling in a higher court. As the legal battle shifts to the appellate stage, the case remains a significant point of discussion regarding athlete safety and accountability in Indian sports administration.