NEW DELHI – A Delhi court on Friday, June 28, 2024, acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of all charges in a sexual harassment case. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot of Rouse Avenue Court passed the order, stating that there was a "lack of sufficient prosecutable evidence" to frame charges against the accused.

The high-profile case stemmed from complaints lodged by six prominent women wrestlers, leading to extensive national attention and protests earlier in 2023. The court's decision concludes a significant legal proceeding that began with allegations of misconduct within the national sports body.

  • Case Filing: The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh and Tomar on June 15, 2023.
  • Allegations: The chargesheet included allegations under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
  • Court's Finding: The court concluded that the prosecution "failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt," leading to the acquittal of both individuals.
  • Defense Stance: Throughout the proceedings, the defense counsel maintained that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated.

The case gained widespread public attention following protests by the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in early 2023, demanding Singh's arrest and an investigation into their complaints. The protests underscored concerns about safety and accountability for athletes within sports federations.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a Member of Parliament, served as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India for several years before the allegations emerged. His tenure and the subsequent legal battle have been a focal point in discussions concerning governance and athlete welfare in Indian sports.

Following the acquittal, the complainants retain the legal option to challenge the court's decision in a higher judicial forum, such as the Delhi High Court. This avenue allows for further legal scrutiny of the case's findings. The implications of this verdict are expected to resonate within the sports community and among legal observers.