Delhi court acquits Brij Bhushan, Vinod Tomar in wrestlers' harassment case
Synopsis
A Delhi court has acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case brought by elite Indian wrestlers — closing a two-year legal battle that shook the sport. The prosecution's failure to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt ends the trial, but the verdict is set to intensify scrutiny of how Indian sports federations handle athlete grievances.
Key Takeaways
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on 4 August 2025 in the wrestlers' sexual harassment and intimidation case.
The court held that the prosecution failed to establish charges beyond reasonable doubt ; the detailed judgment is awaited.
The case originated from a January 2023 protest at Jantar Mantar by Olympians Vinesh Phogat , Sakshi Malik , and Bajrang Punia .
Charges against Brij Bhushan — covering five women wrestlers — were framed in May 2024 after the trial court found sufficient material to proceed.
A separate POCSO case filed by a minor wrestler was closed in May 2025 after police found no corroborative evidence.
Brij Bhushan's petition seeking quashing of the FIR in the Delhi High Court remained pending throughout the trial.
A Delhi court on Monday, 4 August 2025, 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, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The verdict closes the trial arising from one of Indian sport's most high-profile athlete-versus-administration confrontations.
What the Court Ruled
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the acquittal order after completing the trial. Tomar had been facing proceedings under Section 506 Part I of the Indian Penal Code in connection with allegations made by one of the complainants. The detailed judgment is yet to be released.
Both accused had pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings. Brij Bhushan was represented by advocates Rajiv Mohan, Rishabh Bhati, and Rehan Khan before the trial court.
How the Case Began
The case traces its origins to January 2023, when a group of elite wrestlers — including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia — staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, publicly accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation and intimidation. They demanded his resignation as WFI chief and called for the federation's dissolution.
Following a complaint to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P.T. Usha, an inquiry committee comprising eminent sportspersons including Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt was constituted. The WFI denied all allegations against its then-president and coaches. The Union Sports Ministry subsequently suspended the federation's functioning and sidelined Tomar amid the controversy.
Key Developments in the Trial
Criminal proceedings gathered pace in May 2024, when the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against both accused. The trial court had found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan on charges relating to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers. During the trial's pendency, Brij Bhushan also approached the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR, chargesheet, and criminal proceedings — a petition that remained pending even as the trial concluded.
The Delhi High Court had initially questioned the maintainability of the plea after charges were framed, before later calling for responses from the complainants and the Delhi Police.
The Separate POCSO Case
This verdict is distinct from a separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, filed by a minor wrestler against Brij Bhushan. In May 2025, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police's cancellation report in that matter, after the probe agency stated it found no corroborative evidence. The complainant and her father had not opposed the cancellation.
What Happens Next
With Monday's acquittal, the trial stemming from the women wrestlers' complaints has concluded. The detailed judgment, once released, is expected to shed light on the evidentiary gaps the court identified. The verdict is likely to reignite debate over athlete protection frameworks in Indian sport and the mechanisms available to sportspersons who allege misconduct by federation officials.
Point of View
But it does not settle the larger question the wrestlers' protest raised: whether Indian sports federations can credibly investigate their own leadership. The prosecution's failure to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt is a legal outcome, not an exoneration of the system that allowed the allegations to fester for months before any institutional action was taken. The Sports Ministry's belated intervention — suspending the WFI only after a public protest by Olympic medallists — exposed a structural gap in athlete grievance redressal. That gap remains unaddressed, and Monday's verdict will sharpen calls for an independent, statutory athlete protection body in India.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar acquitted?
The Delhi court acquitted both because the prosecution failed to establish the charges of sexual harassment and intimidation beyond reasonable doubt. The detailed judgment explaining the evidentiary findings is yet to be released.
Who filed the case against Brij Bhushan?
Several women wrestlers filed the case, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, who launched a public protest at Jantar Mantar in January 2023 alleging sexual exploitation and intimidation by the then-WFI chief.
What is the status of the separate POCSO case against Brij Bhushan?
A Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police's cancellation report in the POCSO case in May 2025, after investigators said they found no corroborative evidence. The minor complainant and her father did not oppose the cancellation. That case is separate from Monday's verdict.
When were charges framed in this case?
Charges were framed by the Rouse Avenue Court in May 2024, after the trial court found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan on counts of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers, and against Vinod Tomar under Section 506 Part I of the IPC.
What happens next after the acquittal?
The trial has concluded with the acquittal of both accused. The complainants may have the option to challenge the verdict in a higher court. The detailed judgment, once published, will clarify the court's reasoning and could inform any future legal steps.
