Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted in wrestlers' case FAST-MOVING

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Vinod Tomar women wrestlers sexual harassment case Delhi court acquittal

A Delhi court (Rouse Avenue Court) on 3 August 2026 acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of all charges in a sexual‑harassment and intimidation case filed by six women wrestlers. The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar, who said the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

The case stemmed from protests at Jantar Mantar in January 2023, when Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and other wrestlers demanded Singh’s removal over accusations of sexual exploitation, stalking and criminal intimidation. Delhi Police filed a 1,500‑page charge‑sheet on 15 June 2023 under IPC sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1). The trial was conducted in‑camera and the court reserved its judgment after final arguments in July 2024.

Following the acquittal, Singh called the decision a “moment of happiness” for himself and his supporters, while wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat expressed disappointment and said they would appeal the verdict.

Entities: Ashwini Panwar · Bajrang Punia · Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh · Delhi Rouse Avenue Court · Rouse Avenue Court · Sakshi Malik · Vinesh Phogat · Vinod Tomar · Women wrestlers (six complainants) · Wrestling Federation of India

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 5 SOURCES] Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar announced the acquittal. (court announcement)
[● 2 SOURCES] Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a former BJP MP and six‑time Lok Sabha member. (First and fourth articles)
[● 6 SOURCES] Delhi Police filed a 1,500‑page charge‑sheet on 15 June 2023. (existing)
[● 7 SOURCES] The prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. (new)
[● 6 SOURCES] Charges were filed under Indian Penal Code sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1). (existing)
[● 4 SOURCES] The trial began in July 2024 and was conducted in camera. (trial proceedings)
[● 8 SOURCES] The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar of all charges in the sexual harassment case. (acquittal)
[● 4 SOURCES] The case originated from allegations by six women wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who protested at Jantar Mantar in January 2023. (All articles)
[● 8 SOURCES] The acquittal was pronounced on 3 August 2026. (date of judgment)
[● 2 SOURCES] The trial was conducted in‑camera (closed courtroom). (existing)
[● 2 SOURCES] The case originated from allegations by six women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. (existing)
[● 2 SOURCES] The verdict was pronounced on 3 August 2026. (existing)