Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh showered with flower petals after acquittal in wrestlers' sexual harassment case

A Delhi court on Aug 3 acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers, bringing an end to one of the country's most high-profile sports-related criminal trials.

The judgment was delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court after hearing final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. The court acquitted both accused of the charges levelled against them by the complainants.

The case originated from complaints filed by six women wrestlers, who alleged that Singh had sexually harassed them at various locations, including the WFI office, his official residence and during national and international wrestling events between 2016 and 2019.

Vinod Tomar was also named in the case. Singh and Tomar had denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.

The allegations sparked nationwide protests in 2023, with several prominent wrestlers, including Olympians and international medallists, staging demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and demanding Singh's arrest and reforms within the Wrestling Federation of India.

The protests drew widespread public attention and led to the registration of FIRs by the Delhi Police following intervention by the Supreme Court.

Delhi Police subsequently filed a chargesheet against Singh and Tomar. In May 2024, the trial court framed charges against Singh under provisions related to sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of women and criminal intimidation. He pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

Separately, a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which had been registered on the complaint of a wrestler initially believed to be a minor, was closed after the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report that was accepted by the court.

The trial became one of the highest-profile cases in Indian sport and sparked a wider debate on athlete safety, accountability and governance within sports federations.

Amid the controversy, the BJP did not field Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from Uttar Pradesh's Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 general election. Instead, the party nominated his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, who went on to win the seat.

Timeline of the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh case:

January 2023: Several of India's leading wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, begin a sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, accusing then Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and demanding his removal.

January 23, 2023: Following discussions with then Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the Centre constitutes an Oversight Committee to examine the allegations. The wrestlers temporarily suspend their protest.

April 2023: Alleging that no action was taken on the committee's findings, six adult women wrestlers file complaints with Delhi Police and resume their protest at Jantar Mantar. They also approach the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR.

April 28, 2023: After Delhi Police informs the Supreme Court that it will register the case, two FIRs are lodged against Singh. One relates to complaints by six adult wrestlers under provisions concerning sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman and stalking. A separate FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is registered on the complaint of a minor wrestler.

May 28, 2023: The protesting wrestlers are detained while attempting to march towards the newly inaugurated Parliament building. Days later, they announce plans to immerse their medals in the Ganga at Haridwar but suspend the move after intervention by farmer leaders and fresh assurances from the government.

June 15, 2023: Delhi Police files a chargesheet in the case involving the six adult complainants and simultaneously files a cancellation (closure) report in the POCSO case.

July 2023: A Delhi court takes cognisance of the chargesheet, paving the way for the trial.

May 2024: The court frames charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. Both plead not guilty.

May 2025: The court accepts Delhi Police's cancellation report in the POCSO case involving the minor complainant, formally closing that case.

May 2026: The prosecution concludes its evidence after examining 32 witnesses.

June 2026: Statements of the accused are recorded under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

July 2, 2026: Final arguments conclude and the court reserves its judgment.

August 3, 2026: The Rouse Avenue Court acquits Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case filed by the six adult women wrestlers, bringing the criminal trial to a close.