Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Acquitted in Sexual Harassment Case: Reactions from Wrestlers

Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

On August 3, the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi cleared former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-defendant Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges brought forth by female wrestlers. The court, presided over by ACJM Ashwani Panwar, determined that the prosecution did not establish the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Following the verdict, Brij Bhushan expressed his relief, calling it an "honourable acquittal" and shared his joy with supporters through a celebratory video on social media, captioned with 'Satyamev Jayate'.

Prominent wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, voiced their disappointment and announced plans to appeal the ruling. They stated, "The women wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to file an appeal against this decision as soon as possible."

सत्यमेव जयते! pic.twitter.com/wvbZQGpEeb

— BrijBhushan Sharan Singh (@b_bhushansharan) August 3, 2026

The allegations against Singh arose during his leadership at the WFI, leading to a police chargesheet in 2023 that included accusations of sexual harassment and intimidation. The Delhi Police had compiled a comprehensive 1500-page document detailing the case.

In June 2023, the police filed charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 354 and 506, following protests by female wrestlers at Jantar Mantar. The court proceedings were held privately, culminating in the judgment announced on August 3.

Brij Bhushan maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, asserting that he had faith in the judicial system and described the accusations as a conspiracy. He stated, "If any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. Today, after almost three years, the court has honourably acquitted me and Vinod."

After the verdict, Singh was greeted with a warm reception at home, where supporters celebrated with flower petals and fireworks. His lawyer, Rajiv Mohan, noted that the court's reasoning would be clarified once the official order was received.

In contrast, wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia expressed their dismay, emphasizing the courage it took for women to file complaints against a powerful figure. They stated, "We had to gather a lot of courage to take to the streets and file an FIR against a powerful politician."

Phogat and Punia criticized the judicial outcome, claiming that the system had worked to protect Singh. They confirmed that the female wrestlers would pursue an appeal against the ruling.

Sanjay Singh, the current WFI president, welcomed the acquittal, labeling the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. He claimed that the controversy had negatively impacted the sport, stating, "These allegations were baseless. Our wrestling has suffered greatly because of these accusations."

Brij Bhushan reiterated his innocence, alleging that false accusations have become a tool for political gain. He remarked, "This was a lie, a well-thought-out conspiracy, in which several political parties of the country became involved."

Singh criticized the culture of false allegations, asserting that it has become a widespread issue. He urged those who accused him to reconsider their actions while acknowledging their right to appeal.

Despite the controversy, Singh maintained that his public image remained intact, citing ongoing support from the community. He dismissed claims of administrative failures within the WFI, asserting that grievance mechanisms were in place.

In conclusion, Singh emphasized that the situation was artificially created and that the necessary committees had always existed.