A court in Delhi has cleared Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of India’s Wrestling Federation, in a sexual harassment case involving a minor female wrestler. This decision followed a police report that recommended the cancellation of the case due to the lack of corroborative evidence. Singh, a former Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denied all allegations against him and continues to face separate charges of sexual harassment and stalking from six adult female wrestlers.
The allegations against Singh gained significant media attention in 2023, leading to widespread protests among India’s leading wrestlers. These protests escalated when police detained participants, including Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, resulting in substantial backlash against law enforcement and criticism directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for its perceived inaction.
The wrestlers temporarily ceased their protests following discussions with key governmental figures, including Home Minister Amit Shah and then Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who assured prompt action against Singh. A total of seven female wrestlers claimed Singh had harassed them during training camps and competitions, invoking the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in the case involving the minor.
In a surprising development, the minor later retracted her allegations, prompting speculation that she was a victim of coercion, a claim corroborated by wrestler Sakshi Malik. Recent reports indicated that both the minor and her father expressed satisfaction with the police investigation when they appeared in court to support the cancellation of the case.
Following the controversies, Singh resigned from his role as the wrestling chief, although claims surfaced that he remained influential in the administration through his associate, Sanjay Singh, who took over the position. The Wrestling Federation of India was suspended by the federal sports ministry but resumed operations after the international governing body lifted its ban in 2024.
Additionally, in a shift of political strategy, the BJP decided not to field Singh for the forthcoming elections, opting instead to nominate his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, for the seat Singh had held since 1999.
