3 weeks ago
Delhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Singh, Calls Harassment Case Fabricated
Brij Bhushan Singh used to be the leader of India's wrestling body, called the Wrestling Federation of India.
Some women wrestlers said he behaved badly toward them.
They complained to a court in Delhi.
While the case was going on, two of the women changed their stories.
They told the court that no bad behavior had happened.
The judge decided that the complaints were not true.
He also said the complaints seemed to be made for political reasons.
A man named Vinod Tomar was also set free.
Because of the court's decision, people in the BJP party are angry.
They want the people who made up the complaints to be punished.
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi acquitted former WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges on August 3.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar observed that the allegations were "false and fabricated" and appeared "politically motivated."
Two women wrestlers whose allegations formed the basis of the charges turned hostile and admitted that no acts of sexual harassment were committed against them.
The court noted that complainants maintained cordial relations with Singh, inviting him to family functions and weddings, and made no contemporaneous complaint.
BJP IT Department in-charge Amit Malviya demanded punitive action against those who deliberately made and amplified the false allegations.
- Who
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former WFI chief and BJP MP, acquitted along with Vinod Tomar; Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar passed the order; complainants included wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik.
- What
- A Delhi court acquitted Singh and Tomar of sexual harassment charges, observing the allegations were false, fabricated, and politically motivated.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi, India.
- When
- The acquittal order was passed on August 3, 2026; the development was reported on August 9, 2026.
- Why
- Two complainants turned hostile and admitted no harassment occurred, and the court found no contemporaneous complaints and that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Wrestlers' Complaint
Court and BJP Response
Validity of the harassment allegations
Wrestlers' Complaint
Women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, alleged Singh sexually harassed them between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, his official residence, and abroad.
Court and BJP Response
The court ruled the allegations were "false and fabricated" and politically motivated, noting two complainants turned hostile and admitted no harassment occurred, and that the prosecution failed to prove its case.
Political motivation and accountability
Wrestlers' Complaint
The complaints were pursued as genuine allegations of sexual harassment during Singh's tenure as WFI chief, with the articles recording no response from the wrestlers to the ruling.
Court and BJP Response
The judge observed the allegations appeared politically motivated and made in a deep conspiracy, and BJP's Amit Malviya demanded punitive action against those who made and amplified false claims.
Key facts
- Accused
- Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar
- Court
- Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi
- Presiding Magistrate
- Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar
- Ruling
- Acquittal; allegations termed "false and fabricated" and "politically motivated"
- Order Date
- August 3, 2026
- Complainants
- Women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik
- Alleged Incident Period
- 2016-2019
- Alleged Incident Locations
- WFI office, Singh's official residence, and abroad
Quotes
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar
Delhi court judge who passed the acquittal order
“Despite the alleged incidents, they had maintained cordial relations with the accused, invited him to family functions and wedding ceremonies and continued to interact with him. No contemporaneous complaint was made by them or by the persons who allegedly knew of the incidents.”
republicworld.com
“You cannot weaponise allegations, conduct a trial by media, destroy reputations and then simply walk away when the case collapses under judicial scrutiny. If there is no accountability for falsehoods, what stops the next politically sponsored campaign from doing the same?”
news18.com
Sources
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