Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 3: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, who was a co-accused in the case, was also acquitted.
The verdict was delivered by additional chief judicial magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court after an in-camera trial that lasted nearly two years. The court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to secure a conviction and extended the benefit of doubt to both accused.
The case originated from complaints lodged by six women wrestlers, who accused Singh of sexually harassing them between 2016 and 2019 during his tenure as WFI chief. The allegations included incidents said to have occurred at the WFI office, Singh's official residence, national training camps and international competitions.
Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in June 2023 under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, during the stage of framing charges in May 2024, the court discharged Singh in one complaint and did not frame a stalking charge. The trial proceeded on charges relating to sexual harassment, outraging modesty and criminal intimidation. Vinod Tomar faced charges of criminal intimidation.
The trial was conducted behind closed doors to protect the identities of the complainants. The prosecution examined 32 witnesses, including the six complainants, officials of the Wrestling Federation of India and the Sports Authority of India. Although the prosecution had initially listed 43 witnesses, several were dropped during the course of the trial.
The case drew nationwide attention in 2023 after leading wrestlers, including Olympic medallists and international champions, staged prolonged protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding Singh's arrest and removal as WFI chief. The protests triggered intervention by the Supreme Court, following which Delhi Police registered the FIRs against Singh.
A separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, filed on the complaint of a minor wrestler, had already been closed after the complainant withdrew her allegations, leading the court to accept the police's cancellation report.
With Monday's verdict, the Rouse Avenue Court has acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar of all charges in the case filed by the women wrestlers, concluding one of the most closely watched legal proceedings in Indian sport.