Delhi court acquits Brij Bhushan Singh in sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers

A Delhi court has acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers in 2023. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ashwini Panwar, passed the acquittal order, also clearing co-accused Vinod Tomar. The verdict was reached after hearing all parties involved, with proceedings held in camera.

The case arose from allegations of sexual harassment against Singh, who was a former BJP MP, dating back to 2016-2019. Six women had lodged complaints, leading to massive protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding action against Singh. However, a minor wrestler's complaint was later withdrawn, and the POCSO Act case was closed.

The trial court had framed charges against Singh for offences under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506(1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while Tomar was charged under Sections 109 (abetment) and the same IPC sections.

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