In a significant legal development, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and ex-MP of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was acquitted of sexual harassment charges brought against him by female wrestlers. This decision marks the end of a contentious legal battle that began nearly three years ago with a protest at Jantar Mantar. Here is a comprehensive timeline of the case as it unfolded in the Indian judicial system.
2023: From Supreme Court Involvement to Trial Court Proceedings
The case initially caught public and judicial attention when wrestlers staged a protest at Jantar Mantar and petitioned the Supreme Court for an FIR against Singh. On April 25, 2023, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha agreed to hear the plea, acknowledging the gravity of the allegations.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that a preliminary inquiry was necessary before filing an FIR. However, by April 28, 2023, the Solicitor General confirmed that the Delhi Police would register the FIR, which the court duly noted in its order. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the wrestlers, requested a probe overseen by a retired judge and highlighted security concerns for one of the complainants, who was a minor.
Following the FIR, the police charged Singh on June 15, 2023, under IPC Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1). The trial court acknowledged the chargesheet and summoned Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar, former WFI assistant secretary, on July 7, 2023. Subsequently, on July 20, Rouse Avenue Court granted Singh bail, imposing conditions including prohibitions on influencing witnesses or leaving the country without permission.
A minor’s accusations against Singh were retracted, and police filed a cancellation report regarding charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The trial court closed this aspect of the case.
More Read
2024: Charges Formulated, International Suspension Lifted
On May 10, 2024, the trial court substantiated charges against Singh under IPC Sections 354 and 354A, involving harassment of five wrestlers, and Section 506(1) concerning two of them. Co-accused Vinod Tomar faced charges of criminal intimidation.
Internationally, the United World Wrestling had already reversed its suspension of the WFI in February 2024, prompting the Indian Olympic Association to dissolve its ad hoc committee, although a Delhi High Court judge later reinstated it in August 2024. WFI appealed against this decision.
2025: Revocation of WFI Suspension and Case Closures
On March 10, 2025, the Ministry of Sports rescinded WFI’s suspension, restoring its status as the National Sports Federation for wrestling. Consequently, the Delhi High Court concluded WFI’s appeal on March 11, 2025.
More Read
In a separate development, the Delhi Police submitted a cancellation report in the minor’s POCSO case, which the Patiala House Court accepted on May 26, 2025, as the complainant and her father were satisfied with the investigation.
2026: Trial Concludes with Acquittal
While Singh’s plea to quash the FIR and charges was pending in the Delhi High Court, on January 29, 2026, the court criticized him for delays, noting no progress in arguments since August 2024, and postponed the case to April 21, without halting the trial.
The trial proceeded, and the verdict was reserved on July 2, 2026, with Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of Rouse Avenue Courts scheduling the decision for August 3. On Monday, the ACJM acquitted both Singh and Tomar, with Singh’s legal team describing the outcome as an “honourable acquittal.”
