Former wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been acquitted from sexual harassment allegations involving a minor female athlete, as a Delhi court accepted a police report that suggested canceling the case. This decision comes after Singh was accused by multiple wrestlers, including six adult women, of misconduct and sexual harassment in 2023.
The controversy erupted amidst protests involving prominent wrestlers such as Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who faced police intervention while attempting to make their grievances heard. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also condemned the treatment of these athletes, urging an impartial investigation into their allegations, especially as the Indian government faced backlash for its perceived slow response to the claims against Singh, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The police had initially charged Singh under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in the minor's case, but later, reports indicated that the minor had recanted her allegations, a situation that raised concerns over potential coercion. The wrestler, alongside her father, appeared in court expressing contentment with the police findings and did not contest the cancellation of the case.
Despite the dismissal of the allegations by the minor, Singh continues to battle charges related to harassment from other female wrestlers. He resigned as chief of the Wrestling Federation of India amidst the scandal and subsequently was succeeded by his associate, Sanjay Singh, raising suspicions of Singh's continued influence over the federation. Although he has been barred from contesting in the upcoming general elections, his legacy continues through his son, who has successfully secured a parliamentary seat.
