Vinesh Phogat reveals she is one of six victims in Brij Bhushan harassment case
Synopsis
Vinesh Phogat has publicly named herself as one of six wrestlers who filed sexual harassment complaints against Brij Bhushan. Her warning about the Gonda ranking tournament—controlled by the man she accused—signals that the wrestling movement's fight for accountability is far from over, and that athlete safety remains secondary to federation politics.
Key Takeaways
Vinesh Phogat publicly revealed she is one of six women wrestlers who filed sexual harassment complaints against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh .
She raised concerns about the National Open Ranking Tournament scheduled for 12–14 May in Gonda , alleging unfair refereeing and weigh-in procedures.
Phogat alleged Brij Bhushan maintains a "stranglehold" over the WFI despite his official removal as president.
She warned the Central Government and Sports Ministry they will be held responsible for any untoward incident at the tournament.
The harassment case remains sub-judice, with six women wrestlers having already testified in court.
Ace Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has publicly disclosed for the first time that she is among six women wrestlers who filed a formal sexual harassment complaint against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Breaking her silence while the matter remains sub-judice, Phogat issued a stern warning to the Central Government and Sports Ministry regarding the National Open Ranking Tournament scheduled for 12–14 May in Gonda, the stronghold of Brij Bhushan.
Breaking silence on pending case
In a video statement shared on social media, Vinesh Phogat explained that while Supreme Court guidelines protect victim identities to preserve dignity, she felt compelled to speak out due to current circumstances. "Three years ago, we raised our voices against sexual harassment. Six women wrestlers have already testified before the court. I did not want to speak while the case is still pending, but I want to tell you all today: I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing," she stated.
Concerns over tournament integrity
The Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist raised serious concerns over the fairness of the WFI National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. Phogat alleged that the venue choice — in Brij Bhushan's stronghold — compromises competition integrity. "Every hardworking athlete will get their due there—this is something very unlikely and almost impossible. Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give... all of this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people," she alleged.
Questions on procedural fairness
Phogat further expressed doubts over the transparency of official procedures, including the crucial weigh-in process. "I don't think the weights of all the hardworking wrestlers will be checked fairly, or that the results on the mat will truly reflect their hard work," she said. These allegations suggest systemic concerns about how the tournament will be administered under the current WFI structure.
Brij Bhushan's continued influence
Vinesh Phogat alleged that despite Brij Bhushan's official removal as WFI chief, he has publicly asserted maintaining a "stranglehold" over the federation. She further criticized the Sports Ministry for remaining a "silent spectator" to these developments. This assertion underscores wrestler concerns that formal removal from office has not translated into actual loss of control over wrestling governance.
Warning ahead of Gonda tournament
While announcing her intention to travel to Gonda for the national ranking competition, Phogat issued a direct warning to the government. "I will also be attending the ranking competition; my team and my well-wishers will be there with me. If any untoward incident happens to anyone, I want to make it clear to everyone: the government will be held directly responsible," she stated. This public declaration marks an escalation in the ongoing standoff between the wrestling community and federal authorities over governance and athlete safety.
Point of View
Brij Bhushan still controls wrestling tournaments in his stronghold while the case crawls through courts. The government's silence on whether it will intervene in Gonda is deafening. Either the Ministry believes the accusations lack merit, or it has chosen not to act. Neither option reflects well on institutional accountability in Indian sports.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vinesh Phogat and why is she making these allegations?
Vinesh Phogat is a Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist wrestler who has now publicly disclosed that she is one of six women wrestlers who filed a sexual harassment complaint against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She broke her silence to raise concerns about the fairness of an upcoming national ranking tournament.
What is the National Open Ranking Tournament and why is Vinesh concerned about it?
The National Open Ranking Tournament is a WFI-sanctioned competition scheduled for 12–14 May in Gonda. Vinesh alleged that holding it in Brij Bhushan's stronghold compromises fairness, as refereeing, scoring, and weigh-in procedures could be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his associates.
What is the status of the sexual harassment case against Brij Bhushan?
The case remains sub-judice, meaning it is still pending before the court. Six women wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, have already testified. Vinesh stated she did not want to speak publicly while the case was ongoing, but felt compelled to do so due to current circumstances.
Has Brij Bhushan been removed from his position at the WFI?
Yes, Brij Bhushan was officially removed as WFI president. However, Vinesh alleged that he has publicly asserted he maintains a "stranglehold" over the federation, suggesting his formal removal has not translated into actual loss of control over wrestling governance.
What warning did Vinesh Phogat issue to the government?
Vinesh warned the Central Government and Sports Ministry that they will be held directly responsible if any untoward incident occurs at the Gonda tournament. She stated she and her team will attend the event and will hold authorities accountable for athlete safety.
