Reacting to the verdict, Brij Bhushan told the media, "...I had said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself."
"To this day, I've stood by that statement. After almost three years, the court has acquitted me and Vinod..." he added.
Brij Bhushan and co-accused Vinod Tomar were acquitted of all charges by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, bringing the high-profile case to a close.
#WATCH | Delhi | After being acquitted by Rouse Avenue Court in the women wrestlers alleged sexual harassment case, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh says, "... I said this was a conspiracy, and if any of the allegations against me are found to be true, I will hang myself. To this day,… https://t.co/6O1R8HjBeD pic.twitter.com/Btlt3pWJZA
— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2026
Timeline of the case
In January 2023, several prominent women wrestlers, including Olympic medallists and World Championship winners, publicly accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment and intimidation during his tenure as WFI president.
Between April and May 2023, wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia staged protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding Brij Bhushan's arrest and the dissolution of the WFI. The protests drew nationwide and international attention.
Following the intervention of the Supreme Court in April 2023, the Delhi Police registered FIRs against Brij Bhushan.
Allegations
Six adult women wrestlers accused Brij Bhushan of:
- Sexual harassment
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwanted advances
- Criminal intimidation
- Stalking (in some complaints)