Delhi court clears former WFI chief of harassment charges

Former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh secured an acquittal from a Delhi court on Monday regarding sexual harassment allegations made by six female wrestlers. This legal decision resolves one of the most closely watched disputes in Indian sports history. Singh declared he maintained his innocence since day one and expressed happiness over the final verdict.

Background of Athlete Protests

Top Olympic athletes including Vinesh Phogat initiated a month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar during 2023. These athletes demanded immediate action and the removal of Singh from his official position. Police detained several competitors as they marched toward the new Parliament building on May 28, 2023. Long-running structural power imbalances in Indian sports federations often leave athletes vulnerable, adding heavy national significance to these specific protests. This resulting clash quickly drew international criticism from various sporting organizations worldwide. Six adult athletes submitted formal police complaints at Connaught Place police station in April 2023. Delhi Police filed a detailed chargesheet concerning these adult complaints on June 15, 2023. They simultaneously closed a separate Protection of Children from Sexual Offences case involving a minor complainant. The court formally accepted this specific closure report in May 2025.

Court Proceedings Final Outcome

Trial phases progressed steadily after the court recognized the charges in July 2023. Prosecutors questioned 32 witnesses before finalizing their evidence in May 2026. Final arguments wrapped up on July 2, 2026, leading to the judgment delivered on August 3, 2026. This ruling completely cleared Singh of all charges filed by the adult competitors. Earlier this year, Vinesh Phogat openly identified herself as one of the original complainants. She cited concerns about Singh retaining influence over wrestling tournaments held at his private college in Gonda ahead of the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.