A Delhi court declared former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh not guilty of sexual harassment on August 3, citing the allegations as “false and fabricated.” The court’s ruling suggested that the accusations were politically motivated and that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, presiding over the Rouse Avenue Courts, concluded that the prosecution’s case was lacking. Alongside Singh, co-accused Vinod Tomar, the former Assistant Secretary of the WFI, was also acquitted. The court’s findings, while not yet publicly released in full detail, indicated substantial weaknesses in the allegations.

Key reports noted that two of the wrestlers who initially supported the allegations had turned hostile during the trial. The court expressed concerns regarding the credibility of the accusations, especially after observing the conduct of some complainants after the alleged incidents.

Prosecution’s Case Weakened

The prosecution faced challenges as two wrestlers, whose claims were vital to the case, reportedly stated in court that they had been pressured to give their original statements. This development significantly undermined the prosecution’s argument, leading to questions about the nature and reliability of the allegations.

Further, the court highlighted that several wrestlers maintained social links with Singh after the alleged incidents, attending family events together while failing to file immediate complaints with senior officials. Such actions contributed to doubts regarding the veracity of their claims, leading the court to regard the circumstances of the allegations as potentially indicative of prior planning.

The trial originally stemmed from allegations made by six women wrestlers against Singh. Subsequently, Delhi Police submitted a chargesheet in June 2023 that included various charges such as outraging the modesty of a woman, sexual remarks, stalking, and criminal intimidation. In May 2024, the court had framed charges against Singh based on the perceived evidence of sexual harassment and related offences.

Previous Allegations and Protests

Prior to Singh’s acquittal, a separate complaint involving a minor wrestler had been withdrawn, leading to the filing of a cancellation report by Delhi Police regarding the POCSO case, which ultimately concluded the investigation. The overarching controversy triggered significant protests by prominent Indian wrestlers throughout 2023, with notable figures like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia displaying strong opposition during a 36-day demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Following the court’s ruling, Singh maintained that the allegations were politically motivated and arose from misunderstandings during ceremonial instances, such as placing medals around wrestlers’ necks. He outright denied any acts of sexual harassment.

However, the wrestlers involved in the case have announced their intent to challenge the acquittal. Phogat confirmed that legal representatives have been instructed to initiate an appeal against the judgement, indicating ongoing contention surrounding the case and its implications for the parties involved.

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