A Delhi court on Monday (3 August) acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers, bringing to an end one of the most high-profile and politically charged legal battles in Indian sport.
The case, which dominated headlines for over three years, began with allegations of sexual harassment levelled by some of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. It snowballed into months-long protests, Supreme Court intervention, two FIRs, a parallel POCSO case, and intense political confrontation before culminating in Singh’s acquittal.
Here’s a detailed look at how the controversy unfolded.
January 2023: India’s top wrestlers launch protest against Brij Bhushan
The controversy erupted on 18 January 2023, when Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, began a sit-in protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of sexually harassing women wrestlers during his tenure as WFI chief, besides alleging intimidation, arbitrary functioning and abuse of authority. They demanded his immediate arrest, removal as WFI president and dissolution of the federation’s existing leadership.
The allegations quickly became national headlines, with the protest receiving widespread media attention.
Sports Ministry forms an Oversight Committee
Following meetings between the protesting wrestlers and then Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the Union Sports Ministry constituted a five-member Oversight Committee headed by boxing legend M.C. Mary Kom on 23 January 2023 to investigate the allegations and oversee the functioning of the Wrestling Federation of India.
Following the government’s assurance, the wrestlers temporarily called off their agitation.
However, after the committee submitted its report, the wrestlers alleged that no meaningful action had been taken against Brij Bhushan and accused the authorities of delaying the process.
April 2023: Protest resumes, Supreme Court approached
In April 2023, six adult women wrestlers lodged formal complaints against Brij Bhushan at Delhi’s Connaught Place Police Station, triggering a fresh round of protests at Jantar Mantar.
As Delhi Police did not immediately register an FIR, the wrestlers approached the Supreme Court seeking judicial intervention.
Following the proceedings before the apex court, Delhi Police informed the court that it would register criminal cases.
Two FIRs registered
On 28 April 2023, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan.
The first FIR related to allegations made by six adult women wrestlers under provisions dealing with sexual harassment, assault or criminal force with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman, stalking and criminal intimidation.
The second FIR invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a minor wrestler made allegations.
The registration of the POCSO case significantly escalated the controversy because offences under the Act carry stringent punishment.
The protests reach their peak.
The agitation intensified over the following weeks.
On 28 May 2023, the wrestlers attempted to march towards the newly inaugurated Parliament building but were stopped and detained by Delhi Police. Images of Olympic medallists being dragged away by police personnel made national and international headlines and drew criticism from several sporting bodies.
A few days later, the wrestlers travelled to Haridwar and announced that they would immerse their Olympic and international medals in the Ganga as a mark of protest. The move was halted after intervention by farmer leader Naresh Tikait, following which discussions with Union ministers led to the protest’s suspension.
Delhi Police files chargesheet
On 15 June 2023, Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan in the case involving the six adult complainants.
The police accused him of offences relating to sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of women and stalking.
At the same time, Delhi Police filed a closure report in the separate POCSO case involving the minor wrestler, stating that its investigation had found no evidence warranting prosecution after the complainant withdrew the allegations.
Trial begins
The Delhi court took cognisance of the chargesheet in July 2023.
In May 2024, the court framed charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. Both pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
Over the course of the proceedings, the prosecution examined 32 witnesses before closing its evidence in May 2026. The statements of the accused were recorded in June 2026, after which final arguments concluded on 2 July 2026.
POCSO case closed
Meanwhile, in May 2025, the Delhi court accepted Delhi Police’s closure report in the POCSO case involving the minor wrestler, formally ending those proceedings.
Vinesh Phogat reveals she was one of the complainants
Earlier in 2026, Olympian Vinesh Phogat publicly disclosed that she was one of the six complainants in the case.
In a video message, she explained that she had chosen not to reveal her identity earlier in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the identity of survivors of sexual harassment.
Vinesh also alleged that despite Brij Bhushan no longer holding any official post in the Wrestling Federation of India, he continued to wield influence over the federation’s functioning. She cried foul over the decision to organise ranking tournaments at a college owned by him in Gonda, claiming it could affect athletes preparing for the 2026 Asian Games.
Delhi court acquits Brij Bhushan
On 3 August 2026, the Delhi court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case involving the six adult women wrestlers.
The acquittal brought to an end the criminal proceedings arising out of one of the most contentious episodes in Indian sport.
Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan reiterated that he had maintained his innocence from the outset.
“I said on the very first day that if the allegations are true, I will hang myself. I am very happy that I have been acquitted today. It is good news for me and good news for my supporters. I cannot say anything more than that,” he said.
A controversy that reshaped Indian wrestling
The Brij Bhushan controversy fundamentally altered Indian wrestling. It paralysed the functioning of the Wrestling Federation of India for months, led to repeated administrative interventions by the Sports Ministry, drew scrutiny from international wrestling bodies and became a major political flashpoint.
While the protests triggered a wider debate on athlete safety, accountability and sexual harassment in sports federations, the acquittal also underscores a foundational principle of criminal jurisprudence—that allegations, however serious or widely publicised, must ultimately be proved beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. With Monday’s verdict, the legal chapter in the case involving the six adult wrestlers has come to a close, although its political and social legacy is likely to continue.
