Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief in sexual harassment case

Women wrestlers vow to appeal against the verdict amid controversial acquittal.By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and ReutersPublished On 3 Aug 20263 Aug 2026A New Delhi court has acquitted the former chief of India’s wrestling federation in a sexual harassment and stalking case lodged by prominent female wrestlers.The decision, announced on Monday, came ⁠⁠three years after allegations prompted months of protests demanding criminal action against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.The court charged Singh, the 69-year-old former politician from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in 2024. He completed his term that year and was not re-nominated, but his son ran and won the constituency.Five women accused Singh of groping and demanding sexual favours — allegations he denied.“I had complete faith that justice would be done … justice was done,” Singh told reporters outside the Rouse Avenue Court following Monday’s verdict. “I never considered myself a criminal at all.”Singh’s lawyer, Rajiv Mohan, said he had been “honourably acquitted”.The court reached its verdict after finding “inconsistencies” in witness statements and a “contradiction on major issues”, he told reporter...