Published Aug 03, 2026 | 12:18 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 03, 2026 | 2:20 PM
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. (Twitter)
Synopsis: Ex-Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP strongman Brij Bhushan Singh, who had to quit his post after women wrestlers took to the streets accusing him of sexual harassment, has been granted an “honourable acquittal” by a Delhi Court. The verdict comes despite four Olympic wrestlers sticking to their testimonies.
BJP leader and the ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar have been acquitted in the sexual harassment case filed against them by multiple women wrestlers. Tomar was the WFI secretary during Singh’s tenure.
Ashwini Panwar, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Rouse Avenue Courts, delivered the verdict at the end of the trial, conducted in camera throughout.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John had appeared on behalf of the women wrestlers, while Advocate Rajiv Mohan had represented Brij Bhushan.
Brij Bhushan greeted the acquittal by saying, “होइहि सोइ जो राम रचि राखा” (What is meant to be will be, as destined by Lord Ram). He also claimed that the court had granted him an “honourable acquittal” and that this was different from a mere acquittal, which can happen because of lack of evidence.
Star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was among the complainants, said the entire government apparatus and the system was engaged in saving Brij Bhushan from day one, but she had not lost hope.
“We had to gather a lot of courage to take to the streets and get an FIR registered against a strongman leader of the ruling party. Backed by power and his muscle, Brij Bhushan has scared many girls into withdrawing their names. However, several women wrestlers stood firm and continued to fight against Brij Bhushan in court. We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the charges of sexual violence levelled by the women wrestlers.
“Right from day one, the entire apparatus, government, and system have been engaged in protecting Brij Bhushan. The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal against this verdict, and it will be done as soon as possible. We have not lost hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight,” she said.
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai had also been critical of the verdict on X, posting that the “powerful win yet again”. He highlighted that the acquittal came despite four of the six Olympic wrestlers standing by their testimonies. Charges framed on the complaints of the fifth and sixth wrestler, one of them a minor, had been disposed of earlier.
Brij Bhushan and Tomar were out on bail through the trial.
Public prosecutor Manish Rawat said that the detailed order will be examined and “appropriate action” will be taken.
The case dates back more than three years.
Women wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, had taken to the streets demanding justice in January 2023 in protests that drew international attention.
During the agitation, Olympic silver medal winner Sakshi Malik had spoken of how junior female wrestlers attempted to file a complaint of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan at a police station in Uttar Pradesh in 2012 only to find that “the case disappeared within 24 hours”. Malik had also alleged that there was “a systematic attempt by the government to silence our complaints” then.
Two FIRs filed on April 28, 2023, by the Delhi Police listed at least “10 episodes of inappropriate touching, molestation that includes running hands over breasts, touching the navel; several instances of intimidation including stalking”, according to a report in The Indian Express.
The Delhi Police’s 1500-page chargesheet against Brij Bhushan on June 15, 2023 led to the court framing charges under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code on May 21, 2024.
The women had said that the sexual harassment took place between 2016 and 2019 at locations including the WFI office, Brij Bhushan’s official residence and during overseas trips.
Brij Bhushan, a six-time MP, was denied a ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from his stronghold of Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh following allegations against him. His son Karan Bhushan Singh currently represents the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from the seat.
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(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
