A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case brought by six women wrestlers. The ruling ends one of the prominent legal matters in Indian sports. The accusations originated from complaints by athletes including Vinesh Phogat, who stated she was among those harassed during Singh’s leadership. He had denied the claims throughout. The allegations led to widespread demonstrations in 2023, with prominent wrestlers holding extended protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to seek his arrest and removal. The actions gained global notice after police detained participants during a march near the new Parliament building. The acquittal follows Vinesh Phogat’s earlier public confirmation of her role as a complainant while maintaining confidentiality per court rules. She also raised concerns about ongoing influence in the federation and fairness in upcoming events. Singh, a former parliamentarian, had previously been cleared in a related matter involving a minor wrestler. The verdict concludes criminal proceedings against him in the adult complainants’ case. Singh expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting he had always asserted his innocence. The matter began with protests in early 2023, followed by official reviews, police filings, and a trial that examined multiple witnesses before the final decision.
