After WFI Poll Victory, Brij Bhushan Dismisses Sexual Harassment Case As Conspiracy

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday described the sexual harassment allegations against him as part of a “conspiracy”, days after a Delhi court acquitted him in a case filed by six women wrestlers. Singh made the remarks after his victory over Congress leader Deepender Hooda in the wrestling body's election, alleging that the controversy was politically motivated and that some wrestlers were pressured to speak against him. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Vishnoharpur, around 40 km from Gonda city, Singh said the Delhi court's decision was consistent with what he had maintained since allegations against him first emerged.

He claimed that he had been repeatedly portrayed during television debates as an accused in a rape case, while disputing the allegations and saying he was not present with the wrestlers at the time when the alleged sexual harassment incidents were supposed to have occurred. Singh also alleged that a conspiracy was launched against him after he defeated Deepender Hooda in the WFI election. Hooda is the son of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. According to Singh, some women wrestlers were subsequently persuaded to make allegations against him under pressure from the Hooda family. He further accused the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of repeatedly using the allegations as a political “toy”.

The allegations against Singh became a major issue in Indian wrestling in 2023, when several women wrestlers began protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The protests lasted for 36 days and drew significant national attention, with wrestlers including World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat, Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia emerging as prominent faces of the movement. The wrestlers had accused Singh, who was then heading the WFI, of sexually harassing women athletes. The case eventually proceeded before a Delhi court, which last week acquitted Singh in the sexual harassment case involving six women wrestlers, including Phogat.

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The court cited lack of evidence while reaching its decision. Singh has since used the verdict to reinforce his claim that the allegations against him were unfounded. His latest comments, however, have also brought the political dimension of the dispute back into focus, particularly his contention that the allegations emerged after the WFI election contest. Phogat, meanwhile, said following Singh's acquittal that the women wrestlers had instructed their lawyers to challenge the decision. She said they would approach a higher court against the verdict.

The proposed appeal means the legal dispute may continue despite the trial court's acquittal, leaving the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the case subject to further judicial scrutiny. Singh's latest remarks come as the controversy continues to intersect with the internal politics of Indian wrestling. While he has maintained that the allegations were part of a political conspiracy, the women wrestlers have continued to pursue legal remedies against the acquittal. The contrasting positions are likely to keep attention on both the court proceedings and the events that led to the protests against the former WFI chief.

Also Read: Brij Bhushan Singh Receives Grand Welcome After Acquittal In Sexual Harassment Case