Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.
The case arose from allegations made by women wrestlers against Singh during his tenure as WFI chief. The Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Singh in 2023 under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code, alleging offences including sexual harassment, assault or criminal force against women, and criminal intimidation. Tomar was named as a co-accused.
The court had reserved its verdict after hearing final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. Proceedings in the matter were held in a closed courtroom.
Reacting to the verdict, Singh said, "The honourable judge said that Brij Bhushan Singh and Vinod Tomar are acquitted with honour. From the very first day, I had said that if even a single allegation against me was proved, I would be ready to face the harshest punishment. Today, the court has acquitted us with honour and it is a matter of happiness for me. What I had said on the first day has turned out to be true. I did not know what the other side was thinking, but my first reaction was that the truth would prevail. Today is a moment of happiness."
The trial stemmed from an FIR registered by Delhi Police after women wrestlers staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh of sexually harassing female wrestlers during his tenure as WFI chief.
Delhi Police had filed a nearly 1,500-page chargesheet on June 15, 2023, after completing its investigation. During the trial, the court also recorded the statements of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) member and the investigating officer.
Singh and Tomar had been facing trial over allegations made by women wrestlers from India and abroad, who accused Singh of sexual harassment during his tenure at the helm of the Wrestling Federation of India.
