A Delhi court on Monday acquitted ex-chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and former BJP’s Member of Parliament (MP) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, as well as the co-accused, Vinod Tomar, in the alleged sexual harassment case filed by female wrestlers.
The Rouse Avenue delivered the verdict after it had reserved its judgment on July 2, following the conclusion of final arguments in the matter. The case had drawn eyeballs from the nation over the past two years, triggering an intense debate of athlete welfare, accountability in sports administration and the handling of sexual harassment complaints.
Brij Bhushan Singh after the acquittal
‘Court acquitted me honourably”: Singh
Addressing the media after the verdict, the 69-year-old BJP leader said the court had ‘honourably acquitted’ him, reiterating the stand he had maintained since the allegations first emerged.
He said, “The day the accusation was levelled against me, I had said that if the charge were proven, I would willingly hang myself. Today, the court has acquitted me and used the term ‘honourably acquitted’. What’s done is done.”
Case stemmed after wrestlers protested at Jantar Mantar
The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Delhi Police after several female wrestlers staged a high-stakes protest at the national capital’s Jantar Mantar. They alleged sexual harassment at the hands of the then-WFI Chief.
A still from the wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mnatar (Image Credits: ANI)
In May 2024, the court directed that a charge of criminal intimidation be framed against Singh. However, it had discharged him in one complaint filed by one of the six female wrestlers.
Celebrations ensue outside Singh’s residence
The former MP’s supporters celebrated his acquittal outside his residence in Delhi soon after the judgment was pronounced. They burst crackers, showered flower petals on him and raised slogans in his support as he returned home.
Reacting to the verdict, WFI President Sanjay Singh, considered a close aide of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, welcomed the decision, saying that there was a festive atmosphere among his supporters.
He said,”Everyone is in a great mood and is really happy.”
Allegations trigger Singh’s political fallout during 2024 General Election
The allegations levelled against Singh dented his political influence ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Amid sustained criticism from the Opposition and the public scrutiny surrounding the case, the BJP did not field Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from Uttar Pradesh’s Kaiserganj parliamentary constituency, which he used to represent earlier.
Instead, the party fielded his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, who went on to win the seat.