Al Jazeera

Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief in sexual harassment case

The New Indian Express

Delhi court acquits ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh in sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers

BBC News

India's ex-wrestling chief cleared in sexual harassment case

Firstpost

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted: How sexual harassment case against former India’s wrestling chief unfolded

Brut America

Why Did The Delhi Court Acquit Brij Bhushan Singh? What Was The Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case?

Dw.Com

Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief of harassment

NDTV

Brij Bhushan Acquitted: A Timeline Of The Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case

OpIndia

Former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh acquitted honourably in sexual harassment case filed by female wrestlers in 2023

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ians_india

Telegraph India

Case was set up to fail: Opposition attacks BJP after Brij Bhushan acquittal

sardesairajdeep

A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges filed by six women wrestlers.

A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges filed by six women wrestlers.

The court found that the prosecution had not proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, as Singh's lawyer cited "inconsistencies" in witness statements and "contradictions on major issues" as grounds for the acquittal.

The court found that the prosecution had not proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, as Singh's lawyer cited "inconsistencies" in witness statements and "contradictions on major issues" as grounds for the acquittal.

The case stemmed from allegations by six women wrestlers who accused Singh of sexual harassment at WFI offices, his official residence and during overseas trips between 2016 and 2019. Singh denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.

The case stemmed from allegations by six women wrestlers who accused Singh of sexual harassment at WFI offices, his official residence and during overseas trips between 2016 and 2019. Singh denied all allegations throughout the proceedings.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2023/indian-wrestlers-pause-protest-amid-wfi-chief-probe">The allegations triggered nationwide protests</a> in 2023 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2023/india-protesting-wrestlers-demand-wfi-chiefs-arrest">led by Olympic medalists </a>Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Malik later retired from wrestling in protest, and Punia returned one of India's highest civilian honors.

The allegations triggered nationwide protests in 2023 led by Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Malik later retired from wrestling in protest, and Punia returned one of India's highest civilian honors.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in June 2023 under IPC (Indian Penal Code) sections covering sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation. Charges were formally framed by the trial court in May 2024 for five of the six complainants.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in June 2023 under IPC (Indian Penal Code) sections covering sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation. Charges were formally framed by the trial court in May 2024 for five of the six complainants.

Following the verdict, Phogat said that the women would appeal in a higher court, stating, "We have not lost hope." Singh was a former BJP Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj whose son ran for and won the same seat after Singh was not renominated in 2024.

Following the verdict, Phogat said that the women would appeal in a higher court, stating, "We have not lost hope." Singh was a former BJP Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj whose son ran for and won the same seat after Singh was not renominated in 2024.

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A Delhi court on Aug. 3, 2026, acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges filed by six women wrestlers.

A Delhi court on Aug. 3, 2026, acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges filed by six women wrestlers.

The court found that the prosecution had not proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt, with Singh's lawyer citing "inconsistencies" in witness statements and "contradictions on major issues" as grounds for the acquittal.

The court found that the prosecution had not proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt, with Singh's lawyer citing "inconsistencies" in witness statements and "contradictions on major issues" as grounds for the acquittal.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in June 2023 under IPC sections covering sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation. Charges were formally framed by the trial court in May 2024 in relation to five of the six complainants.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Singh in June 2023 under IPC sections covering sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation. Charges were formally framed by the trial court in May 2024 in relation to five of the six complainants.

The allegations triggered nationwide protests in 2023 led by Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Malik later retired from wrestling in protest, and Punia returned one of India's highest civilian honors.

The allegations triggered nationwide protests in 2023 led by Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia. Malik later retired from wrestling in protest, and Punia returned one of India's highest civilian honors.

Following the verdict, Phogat wrote on X that the women would appeal in a higher court, stating "we have not lost hope." Singh was a former BJP MP from Kaiserganj whose son ran for and won the same seat after Singh was not renominated in 2024.

Following the verdict, Phogat wrote on X that the women would appeal in a higher court, stating "we have not lost hope." Singh was a former BJP MP from Kaiserganj whose son ran for and won the same seat after Singh was not renominated in 2024.

The court's acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a vindication three years in the making — the allegations were part of a coordinated conspiracy that damaged Indian wrestling and defamed its champions for nothing. The protests dragged Olympic medalists and world champions through the mud based on claims that couldn't hold up in a court of law. Indian wrestling has already recovered, and this verdict proves the movement against Singh was built on bad faith.

The court's acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is a vindication three years in the making — the allegations were part of a coordinated conspiracy that damaged Indian wrestling and defamed its champions for nothing. The protests dragged Olympic medalists and world champions through the mud based on claims that couldn't hold up in a court of law. Indian wrestling has already recovered, and this verdict proves the movement against Singh was built on bad faith.

IANS India

Four Olympic wrestlers stood by their testimonies and still lost, which tells you everything about how this case was handled. Delayed FIRs, an oversight committee stacked with BJP members, and a defendant being celebrated by party MLAs mid-investigation made a fair outcome nearly impossible. Calling this justice is an insult to every young woman athlete who watched the most powerful walk free.

Four Olympic wrestlers stood by their testimonies and still lost, which tells you everything about how this case was handled. Delayed FIRs, an oversight committee stacked with BJP members, and a defendant being celebrated by party MLAs mid-investigation made a fair outcome nearly impossible. Calling this justice is an insult to every young woman athlete who watched the most powerful walk free.

Rajdeep Sardesai

Crime & justice

India

Sports

This is a vindication three years in the making — the allegations were part of a coordinated conspiracy that damaged Indian wrestling and defamed its champions for nothing. The protests dragged Olympic medalists and world champions through the mud based on claims that couldn't hold up in a court of law. This verdict proves the movement against Singh was built on bad faith.

This is a vindication three years in the making — the allegations were part of a coordinated conspiracy that damaged Indian wrestling and defamed its champions for nothing. The protests dragged Olympic medalists and world champions through the mud based on claims that couldn't hold up in a court of law. This verdict proves the movement against Singh was built on bad faith.

Four Olympic wrestlers stood by their testimonies and still lost, which tells you everything about how this case was handled. Delayed FIRs, an oversight committee stacked with BJP members and a defendant being celebrated by party MLAs mid-investigation made a fair outcome nearly impossible. Calling this justice is an insult to every young woman athlete who watched the most powerful walk free.

Four Olympic wrestlers stood by their testimonies and still lost, which tells you everything about how this case was handled. Delayed FIRs, an oversight committee stacked with BJP members and a defendant being celebrated by party MLAs mid-investigation made a fair outcome nearly impossible. Calling this justice is an insult to every young woman athlete who watched the most powerful walk free.

Delhi Court Acquits WFI Chief in Wrestlers' Harassment Case

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Delhi Court Acquits WFI Chief in Wrestlers' Harassment Case

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