New Delhi. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of the sexual harassment charges levelled by six women wrestlers. While Brij Bhushan called this decision as his victory, Olympian Vinesh Phogat made it clear that the women wrestlers will challenge this decision in the High Court. This case was registered on the complaints of six women wrestlers, who had made serious allegations against Brij Bhushan. With the court’s decision, the hearing of this criminal case has ended for now.
Immediately after this decision, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat expressed her displeasure in a lengthy post on social media. Vinesh Phogat wrote on X, “It took a lot of courage for us to take to the streets and file an FIR against a powerful leader of the ruling party. Using his power and influence, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh intimidated many girls into withdrawing their names. However, many female wrestlers persevered and continued to fight in court.” Vinesh Phogat wrote, “We are deeply saddened that the court did not find Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty of the sexual harassment allegations leveled by the female wrestlers. From the very beginning, the entire system, the government, and the system were working to protect him. The female wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal this decision. This appeal will be filed soon. We have not lost hope and will continue our fight.”
After the verdict, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said that he was confident from the beginning that he would be vindicated. He said, “I had said on the very first day that if the charges were proven true, I would hang myself. Today, I have been acquitted. This is good news for me and my supporters.”
Wrestlers staged a sit-in at Jantar Mantar
This case came to light in January 2023 when several top wrestlers from the country, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanded his arrest and removal from the post of WFI President. The Sports Ministry later formed a monitoring committee, but the wrestlers resumed their protests, alleging a lack of action. In April 2023, six female wrestlers filed a formal complaint. Following this, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, and the Delhi Police registered two FIRs. The first FIR was filed based on the complaint of six adult female wrestlers. The second FIR was filed based on the complaint of a minor wrestler under the POCSO Act. The Delhi Police subsequently filed a closure report in the case involving the minor wrestler, which the court accepted in May 2025.
In the case involving adult women wrestlers, Delhi Police filed a charge sheet in June 2023. In May 2024, the court framed charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. Both pleaded not guilty. During the trial, the prosecution presented 32 witnesses. Testimony was completed in May 2026, statements of the accused were recorded in June, and final arguments concluded on July 2, 2026. Subsequently, on August 3, 2026, the court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case involving six women wrestlers.