A New Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and his aide Vinod Tomar of sexual harassment charges [1].
The ruling concludes a high-profile legal battle that sparked nationwide protests and highlighted the struggle of female athletes against administrative power in Indian sports.
The Rouse Avenue Court delivered the verdict on Aug. 3, 2024 [1, 3]. The case was brought forward by six female wrestlers who had accused the former federation chief of misconduct [2].
The acquittal follows a prolonged period of public unrest. Protests at Jantar Mantar lasted for three and a half years before the court reached its decision [4]. The wrestlers had sought accountability for the alleged harassment, leading to a standoff between the athletes and the sports body's leadership.
Singh and Tomar faced multiple allegations during the proceedings. However, the court found that the charges did not stand based on the evidence presented [1, 2]. The decision marks a significant legal turning point for the former wrestling chief, who had maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
The case drew international attention to the treatment of women in Indian sports. The wrestlers' decision to protest publicly was an unprecedented move in the country's athletic community, one that aimed to expose systemic abuse within the federation.
“A New Delhi court acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.”
The acquittal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh represents a significant legal victory for the former federation chief but may be viewed as a setback for athletes seeking systemic reform. The three-and-a-half-year protest period underscores the gap between public outcry and judicial outcomes in sexual harassment cases involving powerful officials in India.
