Delhi Court Reserves Judgment in Brij Bhushan Singh Sexual Harassment Case
A Delhi court on Friday reserved its judgment in the sexual harassment case involving former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh, bringing a months-long legal battle closer to resolution. The court announced it would deliver its verdict on August 25, when both the defense and prosecution will learn whether Singh faces conviction or walks free.
What Happened in Court
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal told the courtroom the judgment would be pronounced at 2:15 PM on August 25. Singh was present in court for the proceedings, which lasted nearly three hours. The court heard final arguments from both sides before reserving the judgment.
Singh's legal team argued the prosecution failed to establish a clear case for several charges, while public prosecutors maintained the evidence from six complainants, including top Indian wrestlers, proved the harassment occurred over an extended period. The accused has consistently denied all allegations since his arrest in June.
The Charges Against Singh
Delhi Police charged Singh under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty) and Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman). The police filed a chargesheet in June after investigating complaints lodged by several women wrestlers.
If convicted on all charges, Singh faces up to five years in prison. The prosecution argued Singh used his position as federation chief to harass athletes, while the defense contended the relationships were consensual and misinterpreted. The court also considered a charge under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, though the specifics remained under legal debate.
Who Is Brij Bhushan Singh
Singh served as president of the Wrestling Federation of India from 2012 until his suspension in April. He previously served two terms in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, representing the Kaiserganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Singh held significant influence over Indian wrestling for over a decade before the allegations surfaced.
His arrest came after a high-profile protest by elite wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, who demanded his removal and arrest. The athletes alleged Singh systematically harassed female wrestlers and used his authority to intimidate them. Singh claimed political rivals fabricated the allegations to damage his reputation.
Wrestlers' Fight for Justice
Six women, including active and former wrestlers, lodged complaints against Singh beginning in April. Their allegations described a pattern of unwanted advances, inappropriate touching, and threats to careers. The wrestlers said they faced retaliation after complaining internally within the federation.
Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik, who led one of the protest demonstrations near the Ram Leela Maidan, said the reserved judgment brought a mixture of relief and anxiety. "We have waited months for this moment," Malik told reporters outside the court. "The truth must prevail." Other complainants requested anonymity during the proceedings, citing fear of social and professional consequences.
Political Dimensions
The case drew national attention when wrestlers staged a sit-in protest in New Delhi, demanding Singh's arrest. The protest attracted support from opposition politicians and civil rights activists. Singh is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, though the party distanced itself from the controversy as protests grew.
Former BJP MP Maneka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav both commented publicly on the case, drawing connections to broader questions about athlete welfare in India. Singh's lawyers argued the case was politically motivated, pointing to the timing of complaints coinciding with federation elections. The prosecution dismissed these claims, saying the evidence stood independently of any political context.
What's Next
Legal experts say the August 25 verdict will determine whether Singh faces trial before a sessions court or is discharged from the case. If convicted, the case will move to sentencing, where the prosecution has already indicated it will seek the maximum penalty. Singh remains out on bail, having secured interim relief from the Delhi High Court in July.
The wrestlers who brought the complaints have said they will accept whatever verdict the court delivers. Their lawyer indicated the judgment, regardless of outcome, would set an important precedent for how Indian sports handles internal complaints of harassment. Beyond the criminal case, the Wrestling Federation of India remains under administrator control, with a new election to choose Singh's replacement yet to be scheduled.
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