New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted BJP leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by several women wrestlers. The court also acquitted former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, bringing an end to one of the country’s most high-profile legal proceedings involving allegations of misconduct in Indian sports.
The order was delivered by ACJM Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts after the court had reserved its verdict following detailed arguments presented by the prosecution, the complainants, and the defence. The proceedings were conducted in camera, considering the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John represented the complainant wrestlers, while Advocate Rajiv Mohan appeared on behalf of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The court had framed charges against Singh in May 2024 under various provisions of the IPC relating to sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and criminal intimidation. However, he had earlier been discharged with respect to the allegations made by one of the complainants.
Vinod Tomar had faced charges under Section 506 (Part I) of the IPC concerning criminal intimidation linked to one of the complainants, while he had been discharged from the remaining allegations during the framing of charges.
The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the IPC. Tomar was additionally booked under Section 109 of the IPC for alleged abetment. Both accused had been out on bail during the course of the trial.
The case had attracted nationwide attention following protests by several prominent wrestlers, who accused Singh of sexually harassing female athletes between 2016 and 2019 at multiple locations, including the WFI office, his official residence, and during overseas events.
Earlier in the proceedings, the trial court had dismissed Singh’s plea seeking further investigation and additional submissions on the framing of charges, in which he had claimed that he was not present in India on one of the dates mentioned in the allegations.
Separately, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case registered against Singh on the complaint of a minor wrestler had concluded earlier after the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report.
With Monday’s verdict, the Rouse Avenue Court has acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar of the charges in the case, concluding the criminal trial at the trial court level. The judgment may be subject to further legal remedies available under law.
