Court Clears Former Indian Wrestling Chief in Minor's Sexual Harassment Case

A Delhi court has dismissed harassment charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of India's wrestling federation, after the minor who accused him retracted her statements. While he has been cleared of this charge, Singh continues to face allegations from six adult female wrestlers.

The former chief of India’s wrestling federation, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has been cleared of sexual harassment allegations made by a minor female wrestler following a court ruling in Delhi. A police report advocating for the cancellation of the case was accepted by the court, concluding the prosecution's pursuit regarding these specific allegations.

Singh, who has a background as a Member of Parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), still contends with accusations from six adult female wrestlers related to sexual harassment and stalking. Throughout these proceedings, Singh has maintained his innocence, asserting that the claims are driven by political motivations.

The scrutiny of Singh intensified in 2023 when he was implicated following widespread protests from India's elite wrestlers, who took to the streets to demand justice, prompting international attention and action from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). High-profile athletes, such as Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, faced harsh treatment from authorities during these demonstrations, indicating the government's alleged negligence towards the case.

Despite the charges against him, Singh initially resisted stepping down from his position; however, he ultimately resigned amid mounting pressure and was subsequently succeeded by his ally Sanjay Singh. This transition led to perceptions that Singh still wielded control over the organization indirectly.

Though the minor in question has since retracted her accusations, suggesting possible external pressures, the police investigation did not yield corroborative evidence against Singh. The minor’s father has since declared the original complaint as false, which was confirmed in court.

Following the controversy, Singh faced political repercussions, not receiving a candidacy ticket for the upcoming 2024 general elections while his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, took his place and secured victory in an electoral contest.

In a notable aftermath, the Wrestling Federation of India was suspended temporarily before resuming operations when the international wrestling governing body lifted its ban earlier this year. Reports indicated that the Indian federation continued its functions from Singh's residential address despite notable transitions in leadership.