The Brij Bhushan Sharan Timeline: A 3-Year Case That Began With Wrestlers' Protest At Jantar Mantar
The Brij Bhushan Sharan Timeline: A 3-Year Case That Began With Wrestlers' Protest At Jantar Mantar Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: August 03, 2026
The Brij Bhushan Sharan Timeline: A 3-Year Case That Began With Wrestlers' Protest At Jantar Mantar Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 11:13 IST The court’s decision came after a trial that stretched over two years, involving statements from complainants, examination of witnesses and detailed arguments from both sides. Rapid Read Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was acquitted by a Delhi court on August 3, 2026, in the sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers, bringing the curtains down on a high-profile legal battle that began with protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and went on to become one of the biggest controversies in Indian sports. Speaking exclusively to News18 after the verdict, Singh said, “The court has acquitted me. I had said that day that I would hang myself if found guilty. Today, I am walking free after being acquitted." The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi also acquitted Vinod Tomar, the then Assistant Secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India, in the case. The court’s decision came after a trial that stretched over two years, involving statements from complainants, examination of witnesses and detailed arguments from both sides. The case, which involved allegations by six women wrestlers against Singh, had triggered a nationwide debate on athlete safety, accountability in sports bodies and the power dynamics within sporting federations. Singh had denied all allegations throughout the proceedings and maintained that he was innocent. January 2023: The Controversy Erupts The controversy erupted in January 2023 when several women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was then serving as the president of the Wrestling Federation of India, of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Among those who publicly protested were Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, along with Commonwealth and World Championship medallist Vinesh Phogat. The wrestlers alleged that Singh had misused his position within the federation and demanded action against him. The allegations led to a high-profile protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where some of India’s biggest sporting names sat in demonstration, drawing national attention to concerns around the functioning of sports federations and mechanisms available to athletes for raising complaints. April 2023: FIR Filed After Wrestlers Approach Police The legal battle formally began on April 28, 2023, when Delhi Police registered an FIR at Connaught Place Police Station based on complaints filed by six women wrestlers. The FIR named Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, relating to assault or criminal force against women with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment, stalking and common intention. On the same day, a separate FIR – FIR No. 77/2023 – was registered against Singh on the complaint of a minor wrestler under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Singh rejected the allegations and said he would cooperate with the investigation. June 2023: Chargesheet Filed, POCSO Case Closure Report Submitted On June 15, 2023, Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case involving allegations made by the six wrestlers. The chargesheet was based on the investigation into the complaints, witness statements and other material collected by police. On the same day, Delhi Police also filed a closure report in the separate POCSO case registered against Singh. The POCSO matter followed a complaint by a minor wrestler.
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