New Delhi: Bringing one of India's most closely watched sporting and legal controversies to a close, a Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and ex-BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. Former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, who was also facing charges in the case, was acquitted alongside Singh. The verdict marks the culmination of a legal battle that began amid nationwide protests by some of India's biggest wrestling stars and triggered a wider debate on athlete safety, accountability, and governance in Indian sports.

The case stemmed from allegations made by six women wrestlers, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as the head of the Wrestling Federation of India. Their complaints, which surfaced publicly in 2023, led to sustained protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar by prominent wrestlers including Olympians and international medal winners, drawing national and international attention. The protests ultimately prompted police action and judicial proceedings that continued for more than three years.

Court Acquits Singh and Vinod Tomar

The Delhi court acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar after hearing final arguments in the matter. The judgment effectively cleared them of all charges in the case lodged by the six women wrestlers, bringing an end to a trial that remained under intense public scrutiny throughout its course.

According to reports from the proceedings, the defence maintained that the allegations suffered from inconsistencies, contradictions and delays, while questioning the reliability of the prosecution's evidence. The court ultimately found that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond the required legal standard, leading to the acquittal of both accused.

A Case That Sparked Nationwide Protests

The allegations against Singh first erupted into the public domain in January 2023, when leading Indian wrestlers accused the then WFI chief of sexually harassing female athletes over several years. The wrestlers demanded his arrest, the dissolution of the federation's executive body, and an independent investigation into the allegations.

The protests resumed months later after the athletes alleged insufficient action by authorities. Demonstrations at Jantar Mantar became one of the most prominent athlete-led movements in recent Indian sporting history, with several Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists participating in the agitation.

Following intervention by the Supreme Court, Delhi Police registered FIRs against Singh. One related to allegations made by a minor wrestler under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, while another pertained to complaints made by six adult women wrestlers.

The POCSO case, however, did not proceed to trial after Delhi Police filed a closure report, stating that no corroborative evidence was found and that the complainant's father had withdrawn the allegations. A Delhi court accepted the closure report in 2025.

Charges and Trial

In May 2024, a Delhi court framed charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under provisions related to sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of women and criminal intimidation. Singh pleaded not guilty and consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings, maintaining that he was innocent and would contest the case in court.

The trial proceeded over the next two years, with the prosecution examining witnesses and presenting evidence, while the defence challenged the credibility and consistency of the allegations. After the completion of arguments, the court reserved its verdict before delivering its final judgment on August 3, 2026.

Brij Bhushan Reacts to Verdict

Soon after the judgment, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh expressed satisfaction with the court's decision and reiterated that he had always trusted the judicial process.

Quoting a well-known Hindi verse, he remarked, "Hoihi soi jo Ram rachi rakha," suggesting that events unfold according to divine will. He said he had never considered himself guilty and had remained confident that justice would prevail.

Speaking to the media, Singh asserted that the allegations were part of a conspiracy against him and claimed that the verdict vindicated his long-standing stand. In one of his strongest remarks after the acquittal, he stated that had he actually been guilty of the charges, he "would have hanged" himself, underscoring his insistence that he had maintained his innocence from the very beginning.

Supporters gathered outside his residence following the verdict, welcoming him with slogans, flower petals and celebrations after news of the acquittal spread.

Defence Highlights Alleged Contradictions

Following the verdict, Singh's legal team argued that the acquittal reaffirmed the defence's position that the prosecution's case contained significant inconsistencies, contradictions and delays. According to the defence, these issues undermined the reliability of the allegations and contributed to the court's decision to acquit both accused.

The acquittal also extends to Vinod Tomar, the former assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, who had faced allegations linked to the same case.

Impact Beyond the Courtroom

The case became much larger than a criminal trial. It triggered a national conversation on the safety of women athletes, institutional accountability in sports federations and mechanisms available for athletes to report harassment without fear of retaliation.

The protests by India's leading wrestlers attracted widespread public support and prompted intervention by the government, the judiciary and sporting authorities. They also resulted in significant administrative changes within Indian wrestling and intensified scrutiny of sports governance in the country.

While the acquittal concludes the criminal proceedings against Singh in the adult wrestlers' case, the episode is expected to remain a defining chapter in Indian sport due to its impact on athlete activism and the governance of national sporting bodies.

The verdict also underscores the distinction between public controversy and judicial adjudication. After examining the evidence presented during trial, the court concluded that the prosecution had not met the legal threshold required for conviction, resulting in the acquittal of both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar.

With input from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.