A New Delhi court on Monday acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former head of India’s Wrestling Federation, of sexual harassment and stalking allegations filed by five female wrestlers. Singh, a 69-year-old former politician from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, faced accusations that he engaged in groping and demanded sexual favors, charges he consistently denied. The court determined there were insufficient grounds for conviction, citing inconsistencies in witness statements and contradictions regarding major issues in the case.
The allegations against Singh prompted significant public protests in 2023, with prominent athletes including Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik and world championship winner Vinesh Phogat leading demonstrations demanding his removal from the federation leadership. The protests, which included a sit-in demonstration in New Delhi, attracted widespread attention when images of athletes being detained during attempts to march to parliament circulated on social media. Wrestling holds considerable cultural significance in rural northern India, contributing to the high-profile nature of the case.
Singh was formally charged in 2024, the same year his term as federation chief concluded and he was not re-nominated, though his son successfully ran for the constituency seat. The acquittal drew celebrations from Singh’s supporters, while the female wrestlers who initiated the case have instructed their legal representatives to pursue an appeal. Phogat indicated that the appeals process would commence as soon as possible, stating that the athletes remain committed to continuing their efforts for accountability.
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