Delhi Court Acquits Ex-WFI Chief Brij Bhushan in Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case, Vinesh Phogat Confirms Appeal

In a significant development in one of Indian wrestling's most closely watched legal battles, a Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.

The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who cleared both accused after hearing final arguments in the matter. The court had reserved its judgment on July 2, announcing that the order would be pronounced on August 3.

The case dates back to 2023, when several leading women wrestlers accused Singh of sexual harassment, intimidation and inappropriate conduct during his tenure as WFI chief. The allegations sparked nationwide protests led by India's top wrestlers, including Olympic and World Championship medallists, who staged demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding Singh's arrest and reforms in the functioning of the Wrestling Federation of India. The protests drew widespread public attention and triggered investigations by the Delhi Police.

Following the inquiry, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh on June 15, 2023, under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Vinod Tomar was also named as a co-accused in the case.

In May 2024, a Delhi court ordered the framing of a charge of criminal intimidation against Singh. However, it discharged him in one of the complaints filed by the six women wrestlers, while allowing the remaining case to proceed to trial.

After examining the evidence and hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the court on Monday acquitted Singh and Tomar. A detailed copy of the judgment, outlining the court's reasoning, is still awaited.

Reacting to the verdict, World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat said the women wrestlers would challenge the acquittal before a higher court. In a post on X, she said the wrestlers had instructed their lawyers to file an appeal as soon as possible and asserted that they had "not lost hope" and would continue their legal fight.

Phogat alleged that the administration, the government and the system had protected Singh from the very beginning. She claimed the wrestlers had to muster immense courage to get an FIR registered against a powerful political leader and alleged that Singh used his influence to intimidate several women into withdrawing their names from the case. Despite this, she said, many women wrestlers remained firm and continued pursuing justice through the courts.