New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Bringing an end to a legal battle that lasted more than three years, a Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case lodged by women wrestlers.
The order was pronounced by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar at the Rouse Avenue Courts after the completion of the trial. Court proceedings relating to the case were conducted in camera because of the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Singh, a senior BJP leader and former Kaiserganj MP, and Tomar were present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced.
The court had reserved its judgment after hearing detailed submissions from the prosecution, the complainants and the defence on July 2, 2026. The case, which emerged in January 2023 and drew nationwide attention, remained under judicial consideration for 1,133 days, during which 127 hearings were held.
During the trial, the court had, in May 2024, framed charges against Singh under provisions of the Indian Penal Code in relation to allegations made by five women wrestlers. He had, however, been discharged in connection with one complainant. Tomar faced a charge of criminal intimidation linked to one complainant.
Both accused were granted bail during the course of the proceedings and remained at liberty while the trial continued.
The case became one of the most high-profile legal proceedings involving Indian wrestling, attracting widespread public and political attention. With Monday’s acquittal, the trial has concluded, closing a chapter that had remained in the spotlight since the allegations first surfaced in 2023.
