A Delhi court has cleared former Wrestling Federation of India president and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual-harassment case brought by six women wrestlers.
The case prompted major protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in 2023. Internationally known Indian wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia demanded punishment for Singh and dissolution of the federation.
Legal news website Live Law reported that Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday also cleared Vinod Tomar, a former assistant secretary of the wrestling body who was another defendant in the case.
After the ruling, Singh, a former BJP member of Parliament, said the court had honorably cleared both defendants. He said he had maintained from the first day that he would take his own life if any allegation against him were proved. He described the ruling as a joyful moment for himself and his supporters and said he would make no further comment that day.
Wrestler and Congress leader Vinesh Phogat alleged after the ruling that the government had tried from the beginning to protect Singh.
“It took immense courage for us to take to the streets and file an FIR against an influential leader of the ruling party,” she said in a statement. “Using his power and muscle, Brij Bhushan intimidated many girls and forced them to withdraw their names.”
She added: “Many women wrestlers stood firm and continued fighting Brij Bhushan in court. We are deeply hurt that the court did not convict Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on the sexual-abuse allegations brought by the women wrestlers.”
Bajrang Punia said: “Today’s ruling has made clear that all power is in their hands and they have everything. They broke the witnesses. We are trying to obtain the court’s detailed order. We do not understand on what grounds he was cleared.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report