Ex-WFI Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Acquitted in Sexual Harassment Case by Delhi Court

NEW DELHI — In a major legal development that concludes a highly publicized and deeply polarizing chapter in Indian sports, a Delhi court on Monday, August 3, 2026, acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the high-profile sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.

The verdict was pronounced by the Rouse Avenue Court, bringing an end to the criminal proceedings involving the adult wrestlers that had sparked nationwide outrage and unprecedented protests by India’s top athletes. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar delivered the judgment in a closed courtroom, clearing both Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of all charges.

The Verdict and the Case Background

The legal battle, which cast a long shadow over Indian wrestling for nearly three years, stemmed from severe allegations made by several prominent female wrestlers during Singh’s controversial tenure as the WFI president. The Delhi Police had filed a comprehensive 1,500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023. The chargesheet accused Singh of serious offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), Section 354A (sexual harassment), Section 354D (stalking), and Section 506(1) (criminal intimidation). Vinod Tomar was also named as a co-accused in the chargesheet.

During the extensive trial, the court heard final arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. Senior advocate Rebecca John represented the complainants, arguing the case for the athletes who claimed systemic abuse. The defense was led by advocate Rajiv Mohan, assisted by Rehan Khan and Rishabh Bhati. The court also recorded statements from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) member and the investigating officer before reserving its judgment.

Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Singh, acquitting him of the charges. This acquittal follows a previous development where Singh was cleared in a separate case involving a minor wrestler, after a Delhi court accepted a police cancellation report following the withdrawal of the complaint.

Reactions to the Acquittal

Following the court’s decision, an elated Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh expressed his relief, reiterating his longstanding claim of innocence.

“I said on the very first day that if the allegations are true, I will hang myself,” Singh told reporters after the verdict. “I am very happy that I have been acquitted today. It is a matter of joy for me and my supporters… Today is a happy day.”

Singh further thanked his legal team and stated that he would await the court’s detailed, written judgment before providing any further commentary on the specifics of the ruling.

A Legacy of Protests and Controversy

The allegations against Singh triggered a seismic shift in the landscape of Indian sports. In early 2023, some of India’s most decorated and recognizable wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat, took to the streets of New Delhi. They staged a grueling, months-long sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding Singh’s immediate arrest and a complete overhaul of the WFI administration, which they alleged was functioning as a fiefdom under Singh’s dictatorial control.

The protests garnered immense national attention and international scrutiny, particularly after chaotic scenes unfolded when Delhi Police forcibly detained the athletes during a march toward the newly inaugurated Parliament building. The powerful visual of India’s sporting heroes being dragged away by police drew widespread condemnation from international sporting bodies and civil society.

Recently, Vinesh Phogat broke her silence regarding her anonymity in the case. She publicly revealed that she was indeed one of the six complainants, stating she had initially kept her identity hidden in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines protecting survivors of sexual harassment. Phogat had also raised concerns about the current WFI setup, alleging it continued to operate under Singh’s shadow, complicating the competitive environment for athletes preparing for major events like the 2026 Asian Games.

Political Implications

Singh, a seasoned politician and six-term Lok Sabha MP from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, has long been a complex figure blending significant political clout with persistent controversies. While he did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP awarded the party ticket for his former stronghold, Kaiserganj, to his son, Karan Bhushan Singh.

This move was heavily criticized by opposition parties, including Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, who recently cited the ticket allocation as an example of rewarding perpetrators, dubbing it “politics of proxy.”

The Road Ahead

While Monday’s verdict clears Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh legally in this specific case, the deep fractures within the Indian wrestling community remain. The protesting wrestlers had previously warned that they would challenge unfavorable outcomes, though their immediate legal strategy following this acquittal is yet to be announced.

The court’s decision closes the primary legal chapter of this scandal, but the long-term impact of the allegations, the protests, and the subsequent administrative turmoil within the Wrestling Federation of India will likely continue to resonate in the sporting ecosystem for years to come.