In a significant development, a Delhi court on Monday closed the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, providing major relief to the BJP MP who has been at the center of controversy for over a year.
The Patiala House Court accepted the cancellation report filed by the Delhi Police on June 15, 2023. The decision came after the complainant a minor wrestler at the time of the alleged incident and her father informed the court on August 1, 2023, that they had no objections to the police findings and were satisfied with the investigation. With no protest raised, the court officially closed the case.
The Case That Shook Indian Wrestling
The allegations against Brij Bhushan Singh first came to light in January 2023, when several top Indian wrestlers including Olympic medallists Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik launched a sit-in protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The athletes accused Singh of sexual harassment, intimidation, and abuse of power during his tenure as the WFI president.
A separate FIR under the POCSO Act was filed following allegations made by a minor wrestler. This added a more serious legal dimension to the case, triggering public outcry and intense political scrutiny.
Protests and Public Pressure
The wrestlers resumed their protests in April 2023 after they claimed that no substantial action had been taken by authorities. The agitation intensified, with multiple marches, calls for Singh’s arrest, and widespread support from civil society, fellow athletes, and opposition political parties.
Images of Olympic champions sitting on the pavement in protest became symbolic of their desperation. The situation drew attention from the Supreme Court, which directed the Delhi Police to file an FIR in the matter. Eventually, multiple FIRs were registered, including one under the POCSO Act.
Despite the growing pressure, Singh repeatedly denied all allegations, calling the charges politically motivated. The Delhi Police later submitted a report recommending cancellation of the POCSO case due to “lack of corroborative evidence.” Today, that report was officially accepted by the court.
What Happens Next
Though the POCSO case is now closed, other non-POCSO charges, based on complaints from adult wrestlers, remain under legal scrutiny. The closure of this specific case may provide legal respite to Singh, but the broader battle for justice by the wrestling community is far from over.
This development marks a crucial turning point in a saga that has highlighted not just the power dynamics within Indian sports administration, but also the resilience of athletes who chose to speak out.
