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Informist, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – A court in Delhi Monday acquitted former Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament and former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. "On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself," Singh told reporters after the verdict. "The court has now honourably acquitted me. I am happy and grateful to my lawyers."

 

Reacting to the verdict, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was one of those who had accused Singh of sexual harassment, said, "(We are) deeply saddened that the court did not hold Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh guilty." She added, "We had to gather a lot of courage to take to the streets and file an FIR (first information report) against a powerful leader of the ruling party. On the strength of power and his muscle power, Brij Bhushan intimidated many girls and made them withdraw their (complaints).

 

"From day one, the entire machinery, government, and this system have been working to protect Brij Bhushan," Phogat further said. But many women wrestlers stood firm and continued to fight the legal battle against Brij Bhushan in court, she said. "We have not given up hope, and the wrestlers will continue their fight," she said, adding that the wrestlers would go in appeal against the verdict.

 

The police had filed a charge sheet in 2023 after investigating complaints of sexual harassment lodged by six female wrestlers against Singh. The controversy got public attention when several top wrestlers staged a protest in January that year against the failure of the authorities to act on complaints against Singh. The wrestlers had also moved the Supreme Court for registration of an FIR against the federation chief. Subsequently, the Delhi police had informed the top court that an FIR had been registered.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Shubhayan Bhattacharya

 

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