Hyderabad: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former BJP MP and ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers, bringing an end to a high-profile trial that drew nationwide attention.
The judgment was delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi. The case stemmed from allegations made by several women wrestlers, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as the Wrestling Federation of India chief.
Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Singh and Co-Accused
Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said he had maintained his innocence from the very beginning.
“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 honourably,” he told reporters after the judgment.
WFI President Sanjay Singh, a close associate of Brij Bhushan, welcomed the verdict, saying everyone was happy with the court’s decision.
The case originated from an FIR registered by the Delhi Police after women wrestlers staged a prolonged protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging sexual harassment and seeking action against Singh.
Following its investigation, Delhi Police filed a 1,500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, accusing Singh in connection with complaints made by women wrestlers from India and abroad.
The controversy became a major political issue ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP did not field Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh from the Kaiserganj parliamentary constituency. Instead, the party nominated his son Karan Bhushan Singh, who went on to win the seat.
With Monday’s verdict, both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar have been acquitted of the charges in the case.
