Delhi Court Grants Brijbhushan Sharan Singh Last Chance, Responds to Female Wrestlers’ Appeal Within a Week

October 28, 2026

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh a final opportunity to file a response to four female wrestlers’ appeals challenging their acquittal in an alleged sexual harassment case.

The Rouse Avenue Court directed Singh to file his response within a week. The court clarified that he will not be given any further opportunity to file a response.

Challenge to Acquittal

Four female wrestlers have challenged the trial court’s decision acquitting Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar.

The appellants allege that the trial court’s decision is legally unjustified and that the evidence presented in the case was not properly evaluated.

The appeal also challenges the acquittal of Vinod Tomar on charges of criminal intimidation under Section 506 (Part I) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a charge leveled by one of the complainants.

On September 28, the Rouse Avenue Court issued notices to Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar, seeking their response to the appeal. Subsequently, at a hearing on October 9, the court granted them additional time to file their response and scheduled the next hearing for October 28.

Acquitted by the Trial Court in August

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar acquitted Brijbhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in her decision on August 3. The court stated that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Four female wrestlers have now filed an appeal against this decision, and the court has given Singh a final opportunity to respond within a week.

Wrestlers Protested at Jantar Mantar in 2023

This case dates back to January 2023, when several wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. They accused Brijbhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.

The wrestlers demanded Singh’s removal from the post of WFI President and the dissolution of the federation.

Following this controversy, a complaint was submitted to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, following which an inquiry committee was formed. Subsequently, the Union Sports Ministry suspended the WFI’s activities.

In May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a woman against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh in a case involving allegations against five female wrestlers. Singh denied the allegations and decided to face trial.

Separate case involving a minor wrestler

This case against Brijbhushan Sharan Singh is separate from the POCSO case filed following a complaint by a minor wrestler.

In May 2025, a Delhi court accepted the Delhi Police’s closure report. The investigating agency stated that no concrete evidence was found during the investigation to corroborate the allegations.

Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia expressed disappointment over the verdict

After Brijbhushan Sharan Singh was acquitted, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bajrang Punia expressed disappointment over the decision. They stated that the decision would be challenged in a higher court.

Brijbhushan Sharan Singh welcomed the verdict, calling it a “victory for junior athletes.”