Introspect: Brij Bhushan Singh to accusers after relief in sex harassment case

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said the Delhi court's verdict in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers had vindicated him, and that those who levelled serious allegations against him should introspect.

In Short

• Six women wrestlers had accused Brij Bhushan Singh during his WFI tenure
• Protests by top wrestlers in 2023 drew national and global attention
• Chargesheet filed in 2023; trial ended with Singh pleading not guilty

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday said the Delhi court's verdict in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers had vindicated him, and that those who levelled serious allegations against him should introspect.

"I said on the very first day that if the allegations are true, I will hang myself. I am very happy that I have been acquitted today. It is good news for me and good news for my supporters. I cannot say anything more than that," Singh said.

A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case involving six adult women wrestlers, ending one of the most closely watched legal battles in Indian sport. The case had grown out of allegations that the women athletes were sexually harassed during Singh's tenure as WFI chief, allegations he had consistently denied.

The matter had triggered nationwide protests in 2023, with Olympic medallists and leading wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia holding a months-long sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar seeking Singh's arrest and removal from the federation. The protests later drew international attention after several athletes were detained by police during a march towards the newly inaugurated Parliament building, drawing criticism from sporting bodies across the world.

The case stemmed from allegations made by wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who later said she was one of the six women complainants in the case. In a video message earlier this year, Vinesh said she had initially chosen not to reveal her identity in line with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the identity of sexual harassment survivors.

She had also alleged that the current Wrestling Federation of India continued to function under Singh's influence. Vinesh further claimed that holding ranking tournaments at a college owned by him in Gonda would make it difficult for athletes to compete fairly ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

The dispute first came into public view in January 2023, when some of India's biggest wrestling stars, including Vinesh, Sakshi and Bajrang, began a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh of sexual harassment and demanding that he be removed from office.

After meetings with then Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the wrestlers briefly suspended their protest when the Union Sports Ministry set up an Oversight Committee on January 23, 2023 to examine their grievances. The wrestlers later said no concrete action had followed the committee's report.

In April 2023, six adult women wrestlers filed formal complaints at Connaught Place police station, leading to a fresh round of protests at Jantar Mantar.

The wrestlers also moved the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR. On April 28, after Delhi Police told the apex court it would act, two FIRs were registered against Singh. One FIR related to the complaints of the six adult wrestlers under provisions dealing with sexual harassment, outraging modesty and stalking. A separate FIR under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was filed on the complaint of a minor wrestler.

The protests reached a peak on May 28, 2023, when the wrestlers tried to march towards the new Parliament building and were detained by Delhi Police. A few days later, they travelled to Haridwar and threatened to immerse their medals in the Ganga. The protest was later suspended after intervention by farmer leaders and talks with Union ministers.

Delhi Police filed its chargesheet in the adult wrestlers' case on June 15, 2023, and at the same time filed a closure report in the POCSO case involving the minor complainant. The trial in the adult wrestlers' case began after the court took cognisance of the charges in July 2023. In May 2024, the court framed charges against Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, and both pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution examined 32 witnesses during the trial and closed its evidence in May 2026. The statements of the accused were recorded in June, and final arguments concluded on July 2, 2026. Earlier, in May 2025, a Delhi court had accepted the police closure report in the separate POCSO case involving the minor complainant, clearing Singh in that matter as well.

- Ends