Court Clears Ex-Wrestling Chief of Minor's Sexual Harassment Charges

In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has dismissed sexual harassment charges lodged against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former wrestling chief of India, by a minor wrestler. The ruling coincides with ongoing allegations from six adult female wrestlers and follows months of protests that gained international attention.

Former wrestling chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been cleared of sexual harassment charges filed by a minor wrestler after a Delhi court accepted a police report that recommended the case's cancellation. Singh, who has always denied the allegations, remains under scrutiny for separate charges of sexual harassment and stalking brought by six adult female wrestlers.

This case and the resulting fallout had gained national and international attention in 2023, following high-profile protests from leading Indian wrestlers against systemic abuse within the sport. The protests turned particularly stark when police detained celebrated athletes, including Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and world champion Vinesh Phogat, as they attempted to stage a protest outside India's parliament, sparking outrage and criticism directed at the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also called for a thorough inquiry into the allegations, highlighting the global concern regarding the treatment of the athletes. Although Singh remained a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the government faced accusations of indifference towards the allegations against him.

The escalation of events led to a meeting between protesting wrestlers and the then Ministers of Home Affairs and Sports, resulting in an assurance that formal charges would be brought against Singh. In total, seven female wrestlers, including the minor in question, had reported complaints of sexual misconduct during training camps and competitions, with authorities invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act for the minor's case.

However, the minor later retracted her allegations, claiming external pressure influenced her decision, a notion supported by wrestler Sakshi Malik. In light of the developments, a report emerged confirming that the minor's father had admitted to providing false testimony.

Following the court's decision, it was reaffirmed that there was insufficient corroborative evidence supporting the allegations against Singh. Both the minor and her father communicated their satisfaction with the police's investigative conclusions and did not oppose the cancellation of the case.

In the wake of the scandal, Singh stepped down from his position as head of the Wrestling Federation of India, transferring leadership to his close associate Sanjay Singh. This transition raised suspicions that Singh continued to control the federation indirectly, an accusation both parties have denied. Nevertheless, in December 2023, the federation was suspended, although it resumed activities in 2024 after the international governing body lifted its ban.

The political implications for Singh were notable as well; he was denied a candidacy ticket for the upcoming general elections, with the BJP instead nominating his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, who ultimately won a parliamentary seat that his father had occupied since 1999.