Brij Bhushan Acquitted in Sexual Harassment Case; Vinesh Phogat Vows to Continue Legal Fight
A Delhi court has acquitted former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. Vinesh Phogat has expressed disappointment with the verdict and announced that the wrestlers will challenge the decision in a higher court.
August 04, 2026: Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been acquitted in the sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. The Delhi court ruled that the prosecution could not prove the charges due to insufficient evidence and witness testimony. The verdict has sparked strong reactions, particularly from wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who is one of the complainants in the case.
The case dates back to 2023, when six female wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment during his tenure as WFI president. The allegations led to nationwide protests, with some of India's top wrestlers staging a sit-in protest in Delhi demanding justice and action against the former wrestling chief. Despite preparing for major international competitions, including the Olympics, Vinesh Phogat remained actively involved in the protest movement. In May 2026, she publicly revealed that she was one of the six women who had filed the complaint, marking the first time the identity of any complainant had been disclosed.
Court Acquits Brij Bhushan and Vinod Tomar
On Monday, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court acquitted both Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI official Vinod Tomar. The court observed that the evidence and testimonies presented during the trial were not sufficient to establish the charges beyond the required legal standard. As a result, both accused were cleared of all charges in the case.
Brij Bhushan Acquitted In Harassment Case; Phogat Vows Fight As Political Row Rages#BrijBhushanSharanSingh #WrestlersProtest #VineshPhogat #RouseAvenueCourt #WFICase pic.twitter.com/bROZvqGJE5
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 3, 2026
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Brij Bhushan welcomed the court's decision. He said the judgment had proved his innocence and recalled his earlier statement that he would end his life if found guilty. Expressing relief after the acquittal, he said he was now able to move freely after the court cleared him of the allegations.
Vinesh Phogat Says the Legal Fight Is Not Over
Following the verdict, Vinesh Phogat shared a detailed message on social media, expressing disappointment with the court's decision. She said that filing the complaint against a powerful political leader required immense courage and alleged that the entire system, including the government and institutions, had tried to protect Brij Bhushan from the beginning of the case.
Vinesh also announced that the complainants would challenge the acquittal before a higher court. She said the wrestlers would continue their legal battle and would not be discouraged by the verdict. According to her, the fight for justice is far from over, and they still have faith in the judiciary and believe the legal process will continue in the coming days.
