Delhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Vinod Tomar In Sexual Harassment Case

A Delhi court on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment and intimidation case filed by several women wrestlers, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court delivered the verdict after completing the trial.

Tomar had faced trial on a charge of criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code. The detailed judgment is awaited.

The case began in January 2023 when Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia led a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment and intimidation.

The wrestlers demanded his resignation as WFI chief and sought the federation’s dissolution.

Following a complaint to IOA President PT Usha, the Indian Olympic Association formed an inquiry committee led by eminent sportspersons, while the WFI denied the allegations.

The Sports Ministry later suspended the federation’s functioning and sidelined Vinod Tomar.

In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Brij Bhushan and Tomar. Brij Bhushan denied the allegations and also moved the Delhi High Court to quash the FIR and chargesheet, but the trial continued.

The case remained separate from the POCSO matter filed by a minor wrestler.

In May 2025, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police’s cancellation report after investigators found no corroborative evidence, and neither the complainant nor her father objected.

With Monday’s verdict, the trial arising from the complaints of the women wrestlers concluded with the acquittal of both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar.

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