Guwahati: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, along with former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar, in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar delivered the verdict, while the detailed order is awaited.
The verdict brings close to one of the most closely watched legal cases in Indian sports, nearly three years after the allegations triggered nationwide protests led by some of the country’s top wrestlers.
The case originated from complaints filed by six women wrestlers on 15 June 2023, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI president. Tomar was also named as a co-accused in the case.
Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506(criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
However, in May 2024, the court framed charges against Singh under Sections 354, 354A and 506, while he was discharged in relation to one complainant’s allegations. Vinod Tomar also faced trial as a co-accused.
Both Singh and Tomar were out on bail during the trial.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the court acquitted Singh and Tomar of all charges in the case.
The detailed reasoning behind the court’s decision is expected to be examined once the full judgment is made available.