Ex-WFI Chief Dodges Minor Harassment Case — 6 Female Wrestlers Still Cry for Justice

On Monday, May 26, 2025, a closure report submitted by the Delhi Police in the POCSO case against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Singh was formally accepted by a Delhi court. The court accepted the closure report on the grounds of a lack of “corroborative evidence” supporting the allegations made in the case.

Notably, this closure report was initially submitted in June 2023, and the investigation took a significant turn when the complainant’s father admitted to filing a false complaint due to personal animosity towards Brij Bhushan Singh. With the complainant consenting to the cancellation of the case and reiterating this agreement before Judge Manocha, the legal route for pursuing the POCSO charges came to an end.

This closure effectively ended legal proceedings against Brij Bhushan Singh under the POCSO Act — a case that, if proven, could have led to a minimum sentence of three years in prison. While the closure came about due to the absence of substantial corroborative evidence and the malicious intent attributed to the complainant’s father, it must not be misconstrued as a declaration of Brij Bhushan’s complete innocence, particularly in light of the other ongoing and serious allegations against him. These cases — filed by six other female wrestlers — accuse Singh of crimes including sexual harassment, stalking, and assault.

The court’s decision has drawn significant backlash from both the wrestling community and advocates for victims of sexual harassment. Prominent wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have openly criticized the move. Phogat, alleging a lack of accountability and a blatant misuse of political power, reposted a tweet by Punia on X, adding her own verse:

“लश्कर भी तुम्हारा है,

सरदार भी तुम्हारा है,

तुम झूठ को सच लिख दो, अख़बार भी तुम्हारा है!

हम इसकी शिकायत करते तो कहाँ करते,

सरकार तुम्हारी है, गवर्नर भी तुम्हारा है!!”

(“The army is yours, the leader belongs to you, you can turn lies into truths because the newspaper is yours. If we were to complain, where would we go? The government is yours, the governor is yours.”)

Despite the controversy, Brij Bhushan Singh has begun celebrating his acquittal in the POCSO case, holding roadshows and rallies across various constituencies. However, it must not be forgotten that the other cases filed by six female wrestlers remain active in court. These cases allege grave offences, including sexual harassment, stalking, and physical assault.

A 1,500-page chargesheet has already been filed in the Rouse Avenue Court by the Delhi Police, invoking IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking). Singh’s associate, Vinod Tomar, has also been named in the same case, facing additional charges. Although Singh has denied all allegations, it’s crucial to note that these charges are supported by the testimonies of 22 witnesses across four states — including wrestlers, a referee, a coach, and a physiotherapist. The trials are ongoing, with the prosecution witnesses yet to be examined.

The wrestling community continues to voice its discontent over the systemic gaps in policy that allow such incidents to occur, unchallenged. One of the root issues lies in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) itself — which, like several other sports federations in India, remains largely controlled by politically influential individuals, facing little to no external oversight. This concentration of power enables such figures to suppress complaints and intimidate potential whistleblowers through fear and coercion.

Additionally, India lacks concrete, comprehensive policies aimed at safeguarding the rights of athletes. The careers of sportspersons who dare to speak out against harassment and abuse are often threatened, forcing many to retract their complaints or suffer professional setbacks. This absence of institutional protection leaves athletes, particularly women, vulnerable within systems designed to serve those in power.

It’s true that government reforms cannot happen overnight, and as of now, no conclusive verdict has been delivered in the ongoing sexual harassment and assault cases against Brij Bhushan Singh. However, what has become painfully evident through these proceedings is the deeply entrenched systemic imbalance that consistently favours the politically privileged. While legal technicalities may have shut a file, the deeper truths about institutional apathy, power asymmetry, and inadequate protections for women athletes remain glaringly unresolved.

This closure has, whether visibly to the general public or more acutely felt within advocacy circles and among victims, set back the painstaking progress achieved over years of protests and public outcries by the wrestling community. In effect, it has delivered a chilling message: “Oh look — the ex-chief didn’t harass a minor. Let’s forget the other allegations and celebrate him.” A narrative that, if left unchallenged, threatens to undo the hard-won gains made by countless survivors and activists in the fight against sexual violence in Indian sports.

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