In a significant legal development, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former head of India's wrestling federation and a former Member of Parliament, has been acquitted of sexual harassment charges linked to a minor female wrestler. This ruling comes after a court in New Delhi accepted a police report recommending the dismissal of the case against Singh, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Former Wrestling Federation Chief Cleared of Sexual Harassment Charges
Former Wrestling Federation Chief Cleared of Sexual Harassment Charges
A court ruling in Delhi finds Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh not guilty in a case involving a minor, despite ongoing allegations from other female wrestlers.
The case gained national attention in 2023 when Singh was accused of molestation and harassment by several female wrestlers, including a minor, which sparked widespread protests across India. High-profile athletes, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, became symbols of the movement as they faced police detentions while attempting to bring their grievances to the government. The international community, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed concern over the treatment of the wrestlers and called for an objective investigation.
Despite facing critiques for inaction, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was accused of protecting Singh due to his affiliation with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The protests temporarily ceased after Singh agreed to charge filings by June 2023, a promise made by then Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
The minor wrestler ultimately retracted her claims, raising suspicions that external pressures influenced her decision to withdraw. Reports indicated that her father had acknowledged submitting a false complaint, resulting in the prosecution's motion to cancel the case being accepted. The court's ruling followed a thorough investigative process that found insufficient corroborative evidence for the allegations.
In response to the controversy, Singh stepped down from his position, with his close associate Sanjay Singh assuming leadership of the wrestling federation. Nevertheless, questions about Singh’s influence persisted, as the federal sports ministry suspended the federation before reinstating it under new leadership. Additionally, Singh was not re-nominated by the BJP for the upcoming elections; instead, his son Karan Bhushan Singh was selected to run for office.
Despite facing critiques for inaction, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was accused of protecting Singh due to his affiliation with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The protests temporarily ceased after Singh agreed to charge filings by June 2023, a promise made by then Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
The minor wrestler ultimately retracted her claims, raising suspicions that external pressures influenced her decision to withdraw. Reports indicated that her father had acknowledged submitting a false complaint, resulting in the prosecution's motion to cancel the case being accepted. The court's ruling followed a thorough investigative process that found insufficient corroborative evidence for the allegations.
In response to the controversy, Singh stepped down from his position, with his close associate Sanjay Singh assuming leadership of the wrestling federation. Nevertheless, questions about Singh’s influence persisted, as the federal sports ministry suspended the federation before reinstating it under new leadership. Additionally, Singh was not re-nominated by the BJP for the upcoming elections; instead, his son Karan Bhushan Singh was selected to run for office.
