Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Acquitted in Wrestlers’ Sexual Harassment Case, Says ‘If Even One Allegation Was Proved…’
Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has welcomed the Delhi court’s decision to acquit him in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers, calling the verdict a vindication of the stand he had maintained since the allegations first surfaced. The judgment, delivered nearly two years after the trial began, also acquitted former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, bringing a major chapter in one of Indian sport’s most closely followed legal battles to a close.
The case had dominated headlines since 2023, when several prominent wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and launched prolonged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding his arrest and removal from the Wrestling Federation of India. The controversy sparked a nationwide debate on athlete safety, accountability in sports bodies and the functioning of sports federations.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Says Verdict Has Proven His Stand
Reacting to the acquittal, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said the court’s decision reaffirmed what he had maintained from the very beginning of the case.
“The honourable judge said that Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar are acquitted with honour. From the very first day, I had said that if even a single allegation against me was proved, I would be ready to face the harshest punishment.”
He added that he always believed the truth would ultimately prevail and described the judgment as a moment of relief for both himself and his supporters.
“Today, the court has acquitted us with honour and it is a matter of happiness for me. What I had said on the first day has turned out to be true. I did not know what the other side was thinking, but my first reaction was that the truth would prevail. Today is a moment of happiness.”
In another statement after the verdict, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh reiterated his confidence in the judicial process.
“On the first day, when my first statement came, I had said that if any verdict or any charge is proven, I will hang myself. Today, the court acquitted me with honour. It is a matter of joy for me and my supporters… Today is a happy day.”
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Case: What Did the Court Decide?
The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Courts after the matter was reserved for judgment following the completion of final arguments. The court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as well as co-accused Vinod Tomar in the case.
During the trial, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had faced charges under Sections 354, 354A and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty, sexual harassment and criminal intimidation. Vinod Tomar had been charged with criminal intimidation.
While the detailed judgment is expected to provide the court’s reasoning in greater detail, Monday’s order concludes the trial proceedings at the trial court level. Any further legal challenge, if pursued, would follow the appellate process.
How the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Case Began
The case originated in 2023 after six women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing female athletes during his tenure as WFI chief. The allegations triggered months-long protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, with leading wrestlers demanding his arrest, removal from the federation and an independent investigation.
The protests briefly paused after the Union Sports Ministry assured the athletes that their complaints would be examined, but resumed later when the wrestlers alleged that sufficient action had not been taken. The issue soon evolved into one of the biggest controversies in Indian sport, drawing widespread political attention and public debate.
Following the allegations, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stepped down from the top post in the Wrestling Federation of India, while Vinod Tomar was also suspended. The Delhi Police later filed a chargesheet, after which the matter proceeded to trial.
With the acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar, the trial has now concluded. The judgment marks a significant legal development in a case that shaped discussions around governance in Indian wrestling, athlete welfare and due process, while also closing a chapter that remained under national scrutiny for nearly two years.