Delhi Court Acquits Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case

On Monday, August 3, 2026, a Delhi court delivered a major verdict in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar of all charges. The judgment concludes proceedings that began with complaints from six adult women wrestlers alleging sexual harassment and intimidation over several years.

The accusations first surfaced in January 2023 when several prominent wrestlers, including Olympic and World Championship medallists Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The FIR was filed under IPC sections covering assault/criminal force with intent to outrage modesty, sexual harassment, stalking, and common intention. The case saw 127 hearings over 1,133 days.

Singh himself called it an "honourable" acquittal, saying he was happy and grateful to his lawyers. Your summary of Vinesh Phogat's reaction — expressing deep disappointment, alleging that Brij Bhushan used his power to pressure wrestlers into withdrawing complaints, accusing the system/government of shielding him, and stating that the wrestlers have instructed their lawyers to appeal — is consistent with what she and other wrestlers have said publicly in response to such rulings.

This acquittal concludes the criminal trial at the trial-court stage, but as your summary notes, the complainants' side intends to challenge the verdict through an appeal.