A Delhi court on Monday (August 3, 2026) acquitted former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case filed by women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar announced the judgment. “Noting that both accused are honourably acquitted, the Court observed that the unexplained delay, inconsistencies, contradiction on major issues, and post-incident conduct of all complainants made their version highly unbelievable,” Mr. Singh’s Rajiv Mohan said.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Mr. Singh said: “On the first day, I had said that if any allegation against me was proved, I would hang myself. The court has now honourably acquitted me. I am happy and grateful to my lawyers.”
“For now, this is all I can say. I will comment further after going through the court’s reasoned order,” the ex-BJP MP added.
Public prosecutor Manish Rawat, however, said that after examining the detailed order, “appropriate action” would be taken before the higher courts.
The prosecution can challenge the magisterial court’s verdict before the Delhi High Court.
Several renowned wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat had protested for months in New Delhi in 2023, demanding the arrest of the BJP leader for allegedly sexually harassing several women grapplers, including a minor. The complaint stated that the harassment took place between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, at Mr. Singh’s official residence, and also during trips abroad.
As the protest continued for weeks in 2023, the Sports Ministry had constituted an oversight committee to internally investigate the matter. The police filed an FIR against Mr. Singh after the intervention of the Supreme Court in May 2023. In June, a 1,000-page chargesheet was filed at the Rouse Avenue court.
After a trial court framed charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the modesty of women against the former lawmaker, Mr. Singh approached the High Court claiming that he has been falsely implicated and no offence as alleged by the prosecution has been committed by him.
Mr. Singh, in his plea, has contended that the investigation was done in a biased manner as only the version of the victims, who were interested in taking ‘revenge’ on him, was considered. He said the charge sheet was filed before the trial court without taking care of the falsehood of allegation.
Last year in May, a Delhi Court had accepted a closure report filed by the Delhi Police seeking to cancel a sexual harassment case filed by a wrestler, who was minor at the time of lodging the complaint. The police had recommended the cancellation of the complaint involving the minor wrestler, saying “no corroborative evidence” was found.
Published - August 03, 2026 11:05 am IST
sexual assault / crime, law and justice
Source: The Hindu - India News
