In a startling escalation of her long-running battle with the wrestling establishment, Olympian Vinesh Phogat has alleged that she is one of the six female wrestlers who were sexually harassed by the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The admission, made via a poignant video address, marks the first time the trailblazing wrestler has publicly identified herself as a victim in the criminal case currently pending in court. Vinesh stated she felt compelled to break her anonymity due to “certain circumstances” – namely, what she describes as a coordinated attempt by the current Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to sabotage her comeback ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.
The legal case against Brij Bhushan remains pending in court, with testimonies currently ongoing. Vinesh explained that she had initially intended to let the legal process run its course without revealing her identity.
“The Supreme Court guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed, because it concerns their dignity and honour,” Vinesh said in a video shared on social media on Sunday, May 3.
“But today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you all something. I did not want to speak while the case is still pending… But I want to say that I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing.”
Vinesh was one of the primary faces of the high-profile protests at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2023 against Brij Bhushan.
“For a woman, competing in such a situation is very difficult, and every athlete who has gone through such a situation can relate to this,” she added.
TRIALS IN GONDA?
The catalyst for Vinesh’s disclosure is the WFI’s decision to hold ranking tournaments and trials in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh – the personal stronghold of Brij Bhushan. Vinesh alleged that the trials are being organised at a private college owned by the former chief, making a fair competition impossible.
“He has his own private college, and this competition is being organised there. That every hardworking athlete will get their due there-this is something very unlikely and almost impossible,” she stated.
Vinesh further alleged that despite Brij Bhushan’s official removal, the federation remains under his thumb through current chief Sanjay Singh.
“Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give… all of this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. And the government and our sports ministry are watching this as silent spectators.”
After an 18-month hiatus following the 2024 Paris Olympics heartbreak, Vinesh has been working to return to the mat. However, she expressed serious doubt over whether she could perform under the mental and physical shadow of her alleged harasser.
“You can imagine – going to his place, to his own college, where every person would be connected to him… going there and competing in such a situation is extremely difficult. Even after that, whether I will be able to go there and give my 100 per cent-I do not think so.”
As Vinesh Phogat continues her training for the Asian Games, her revelation places renewed pressure on the Indian sports ministry to address the safety and administrative integrity of the sport.
WHY THE WRESTLERS PROTESTED?
The cases against Singh first made global headlines in 2023. Top athletes led months of sit-in protests at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which took a dramatic turn when police detained them during a march to India’s new parliament building. Footage of Olympic medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, alongside Vinesh, being dragged through the streets sparked international condemnation, including a rare rebuke from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
While the movement led to formal charges, the legal path has been complex. Singh, a former MP from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was cleared in a separate sexual harassment case filed by a minor female wrestler. A Delhi court accepted a police report recommending the cancellation of that specific case after the complainant reportedly withdrew her statement last year.
However, Singh – who has consistently denied all allegations-still faces serious charges of sexual harassment and stalking in the ongoing case involving Vinesh and five other adult female wrestlers.
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