More than two years after India’s wrestling community was shaken by allegations of sexual harassment and months of nationwide protests, a Delhi court has acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the case filed by six women wrestlers.
The verdict was delivered on Monday by the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, bringing a legal chapter that began during the high-profile wrestlers’ protest at Jantar Mantar in 2023 to a close. Former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, who was also named in the case, has been acquitted as well.
A Case That Sparked Nationwide Debate
The allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh first came to light in early 2023 when several prominent women wrestlers staged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The athletes accused the former WFI chief of sexually harassing female wrestlers over several years and demanded his arrest and removal from the federation.
The protests quickly gained national attention, drawing support from athletes, political leaders, social activists and the general public. Images of India’s medal-winning wrestlers sitting in protest became one of the biggest sports stories of the year.
Supreme Court Intervention Led to FIRs
After the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court, Delhi Police registered two FIRs in April 2023.
One FIR was based on complaints made by six adult women wrestlers, alleging offences including sexual harassment, outraging a woman’s modesty and criminal intimidation.
A separate FIR was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act based on allegations made by a minor wrestler at the time.
POCSO Case Closed Earlier
The POCSO case was closed in 2024 after the complainant, who had since become an adult, withdrew her allegations. Delhi Police also submitted a closure report stating that its investigation had found no corroborative evidence to proceed with the case.
Trial Lasted Two Years
Delhi Police filed its chargesheet in June 2023, stating that there was sufficient material to prosecute the accused. In May 2024, the court framed charges against Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar, both of whom pleaded not guilty.
The trial was conducted in-camera to protect the identities of the complainants. During the proceedings, the prosecution examined 32 witnesses, including the six women wrestlers as well as officials from the Wrestling Federation of India and the Sports Authority of India.
The prosecution argued that witness testimonies supported the allegations made by the complainants. On the other hand, the defence maintained that the accusations were politically motivated and intended to remove Brij Bhushan Singh from his position within the Wrestling Federation of India.
Court Delivers Verdict
After hearing arguments from both sides and reserving its judgment in July, the Delhi court on Monday acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case filed by the six women wrestlers.
The court’s verdict marks the conclusion of one of the most closely watched legal battles in Indian sports in recent years.
A Landmark Chapter in Indian Wrestling
The allegations and subsequent protests led to significant changes within Indian wrestling administration and sparked a wider conversation about athlete safety, accountability and governance in sports.
While the court has now acquitted the accused in the criminal case, the events surrounding the protests remain a defining moment in Indian sporting history, highlighting the importance of due legal process as well as the broader discussion on creating safe environments for athletes.
