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Brij Bhushan Harassment Case Verdict: A local court in Delhi on Monday acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in a high-profile sexual harassment case. Let’s take a look at the key events of the case.

The case began with a protest led by Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in April 2023. Following the verdict, Vinesh Phogat said the fight for justice was not over and that the wrestlers would appeal to a higher court.

Case Timeline

April 23, 2023: Olympic medalist wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, began their protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding Singh’s arrest on sexual harassment charges and the disbandment of the WFI.

April 25, 2023: The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by seven women wrestlers seeking registration of an FIR against Singh and issued a notice to the Delhi Police.

April 28, 2023: Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh at the Connaught Place police station, one based on the complaints of six adult wrestlers and the other under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act based on the allegations of a minor wrestler.

May 4, 2023: The Supreme Court called off the protest proceedings, stating that FIRs had been filed. It directed the Delhi Police to ensure adequate security for the wrestlers who filed complaints and allow them to seek further legal recourse, if necessary.

June 15, 2023: Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against then-BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh and Tomar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation. It also filed a cancellation report in the POCSO case after the minor wrestler withdrew her allegations during the investigation.

July 4, 2023: Delhi Sessions Court seeks response from minor wrestler and his father on Delhi Police’s cancellation report in the POCSO case.

July 7, 2023: After the police filed a cancellation report, the Delhi High Court allowed the minor wrestler to withdraw his petition seeking a court-monitored investigation.

July 7, 2023: A Delhi court took cognizance of the charge sheet against Singh and Tomar and summoned them to appear on July 18.

July 18, 2023: Singh and Tomar appeared before the court and were granted interim bail for two days.

July 20, 2023: The court granted regular bail to both the accused.

May 21, 2024: The court charged Singh with sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal intimidation, and Tomar with criminal intimidation. Singh was acquitted in one complaint because the court found insufficient evidence to proceed on that charge.

June 1, 2024: The trial begins, with the prosecution questioning the complainants and witnesses, while the defense contests the allegations and evidence presented before the court.

May 26, 2025: The court accepted the Delhi Police’s closure report in the POCSO case filed by the wrestler, who had initially accused Singh of sexual harassment when she was a minor, and formally closed those proceedings.

July 2, 2026: After the final arguments of both the parties were over, the court reserved its decision.

August 3, 2026: A Delhi court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers.