A Delhi court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday, Aug. 3, in a criminal sexual harassment case [1, 3].
The ruling concludes a high-profile legal battle involving some of India's most prominent athletes and a powerful political figure. The case brought national attention to allegations of systemic abuse and power imbalances within the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
The Rouse Avenue Court [3] found that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the charges of sexual harassment, assault, and stalking alleged by six women wrestlers [1, 2]. The legal proceedings followed a chargesheet filed in June 2023 [2].
Singh, a BJP leader and former Member of Parliament, was acquitted alongside co-accused Vinod Tomar [3]. The court's decision to clear both men comes after reviewing the testimony and evidence presented by the prosecution.
Following the verdict, Singh expressed his reaction to the media. "Hoihi soi jo Ram rachi rakha," Singh said [4].
The case had become a flashpoint for protests and public debate regarding the safety and dignity of female athletes in India. Throughout the trial, the six wrestlers maintained that the former WFI chief had abused his position of power to harass them [2].
Legal representatives for the acquitted party maintained that the allegations were baseless. The court's finding of insufficient evidence effectively closes the criminal chapter of these specific allegations in the Rouse Avenue Court [1, 2].
“The court found the evidence insufficient to sustain the charges of sexual harassment, assault, and stalking.”
The acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh marks a significant legal victory for the former WFI chief, potentially restoring his political standing. However, the case highlights the difficulty of prosecuting harassment claims in sports hierarchies where power dynamics are stark. While the criminal court found the evidence lacking, the social and institutional impact of the wrestlers' public protests remains a point of contention in Indian sports governance.
