Wrestlers' protest at Jantar Mantar, 2023

What the government did

1. 23 Jan 2023

   Commission of inquiryCentreShare

   After the first sit-in at Jantar Mantar (18-20 January 2023), the Sports Ministry formed an Oversight Committee headed by M.C.

   MoreLess · 5 sources

   Mary Kom to enquire into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, financial irregularities and administrative lapses, and to run the WFI's day-to-day administration during the enquiry. It gave the committee four weeks and told the WFI executive committee to stop managing day-to-day activities; Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said Singh would step aside meanwhile. The committee submitted its report in April 2023. The report was not made public; the Ministry's 24 April letter to the IOA listed general findings, such as the absence of an Internal Complaints Committee, and did not mention specific charges against Singh. Sakshi Malik said the wrestlers had reasons to believe the accused had been given a clean chit.

   Sources [12][13][2][16][1]

2. 24 Apr 2023

   OtherCentreShare

   As the wrestlers resumed their sit-in, the Sports Ministry wrote to the Indian Olympic Association declaring the WFI election process for 7 May null and void and asking it to form an ad hoc committee to run the WFI and hold elections within 45 days of its formation.

   MoreLess · 3 sources

   Sources [15][16][1]

3. 28 Apr 2023

   FIRCourtShare

   During the Supreme Court hearing on the wrestlers' petition, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, stated that since the allegations implicated a cognizable offence, the police had decided to register an FIR that day; the bench of CJI D.Y.

   MoreLess · 4 sources

   Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha recorded the statement. The court directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to assess the threat to the minor complainant and provide adequate security, and said this did not stop the Commissioner from assessing the threat to the other complainants and providing security to them if needed. Delhi Police registered two FIRs against Singh that day at Connaught Place police station, one of them under the POCSO Act on the minor's complaint. Delhi Police report to the Union Home Ministry.

   Court: On 4 May 2023 a bench of CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala closed the proceedings, saying the petition's purpose had been served with the registration of FIRs and the provision of security, and gave the petitioners liberty to approach the magistrate or the Delhi High Court. It did not accept a request for a retired judge to monitor the investigation. [19]

   Sources [17][2][18][19]

4. 3 May 2023

   OtherPolice, DelhiShare

   Late on 3 May a scuffle broke out at Jantar Mantar after police stopped protesters from bringing folding beds into the site after rain.

   MoreLess · 3 sources

   Wrestlers alleged that policemen pushed, hit and abused them and that one officer was drunk; The Times of India reported that Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat were injured and that wrestler Dushyant Phogat was taken to hospital with a cut on his forehead. DCP Pranav Tayal said AAP MLA Somnath Bharti had brought the beds and was not allowed in, that some police personnel and wrestlers were injured, and that action would be taken against the policeman alleged to be drunk. Delhi Police denied that its officers assaulted the protesters. Police detained Bharti and two others and barricaded the site.

   Sources [20][21][3]

5. 28 May 2023

   DetentionPolice, Delhi, HaryanaShare

   As the new Parliament building was inaugurated, Delhi Police detained Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and their supporters, who had crossed barricades while marching towards it for a women's 'mahapanchayat', and took them away in buses to police stations across Delhi; the women wrestlers were released that evening.

   MoreLess · 7 sources

   Special Commissioner of Police Dependra Pathak said they broke the barricades, did not follow police directions and created a 'riot-like situation'; Punia denied that the protesters broke barricades and violated law and order. Farmer leaders travelling to support the wrestlers were detained at Delhi's borders and, according to BKU (Charuni), in Haryana. The numbers detained differ (see figures).

   • 109 persons detained at Jantar Mantar, said Special CP Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police [23]
   • 700 people detained across Delhi, including 109 at Jantar Mantar, said Delhi Police (PTI) [25]
   • more than 500 protesters detained at Jantar Mantar, said Gopal Tiwari, protest organiser [23]
   • over 2,000 supporters detained, said Bajrang Punia [4]

   Sources [22][23][24][4][5][10][25]

6. 28 May 2023

   OtherPolice, DelhiShare

   Soon after the detentions, police cleared the wrestlers' protest site at Jantar Mantar, taking down the tent and removing cots, mattresses, cooler fans, the tarpaulin cover and other belongings.

   MoreLess · 4 sources

   Sources [22][23][24][4]

7. 28 May 2023

   FIRPolice, DelhiShare

   Delhi Police registered an FIR at Barakhamba police station against the organisers of the protest, including Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, and their supporters, on charges including rioting, unlawful assembly and obstructing and assaulting public servants.

   MoreLess · 6 sources

   Reports list the sections differently (see legal basis). On 7 June the wrestlers said the government had agreed to withdraw these FIRs.

   Legal basis: IPC sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332 and 353 and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, as reported by The Tribune; PTI also lists IPC section 352. The Indian Express, citing police sources before the FIR was lodged, listed IPC sections 147, 148, 149, 352, 353 and 186.

   Sources [24][22][25][10][5][26]

8. 7 Jun 2023

   NegotiationCentreShare

   After Sports Minister Anurag Thakur publicly invited the wrestlers for talks, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik met him at his residence for about six hours; they had met Home Minister Amit Shah a few days earlier.

   MoreLess · 3 sources

   Thakur said the police probe would be completed and a chargesheet filed by 15 June and that WFI elections would be held by 30 June. The wrestlers said the government had also agreed to withdraw the 28 May FIRs against them. They suspended the protest until 15 June, and Punia said they would resume it if no action was taken by then.

   Sources [26][27][6]

9. 15 Jun 2023

   OtherPolice, DelhiShare

   Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in the Rouse Avenue court against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under IPC sections 354, 354A and 354D on the complaints of six adult wrestlers, and against former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar under sections including 354A, 109 (abetment) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

   MoreLess · 3 sources

   In the POCSO Act case, police filed a cancellation report in the Patiala House court after the minor complainant and her father withdrew the allegations in fresh statements before a magistrate. The father said he had filed a false complaint out of anger; a protesting wrestler told ThePrint that the father had said his second statement was made under pressure. Singh denied the allegations when questioned by police.

   Legal basis: IPC sections 354, 354A and 354D (Singh); IPC sections including 109, 354A and 506 (Tomar); cancellation report under Section 173 CrPC (POCSO case)

   Court: On 10 May 2024 Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Priyanka Rajpoot ordered charges to be framed against Singh under IPC sections 354 and 354A for five of the six complainants and under section 506(1) for two of them, and discharged him of the sixth complainant's allegations. She ordered a charge of criminal intimidation against Tomar for one complainant and discharged him of abetment. [30]

   Court: On 26 May 2025 a Delhi court accepted the police cancellation report in the POCSO case. [31]

   Court: On 3 August 2026 Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar acquitted Singh and Tomar, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. On 28 September 2026 Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue court issued notice to them on an appeal by four of the wrestlers. [11]

   Sources [28][29][7]

Outcome

The wrestlers ended the street protest in June 2023 and continued through the courts. On 3 August 2026 an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar in the case filed by six wrestlers, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. Four wrestlers appealed, and the Rouse Avenue Court issued notice on the appeal in September 2026.

Background

Who governed at the start of the protest. Each action above counts for the party in power where and when it happened.

Centre government

BJPNDA, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

State government

AAP in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister

Places

Jantar Mantar, New Parliament building, Har ki Pauri Haridwar

Cause

Arrest of and action against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations by women wrestlers

Organisers

Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia

Scale

A sit-in by leading wrestlers at Jantar Mantar, joined at times by farmer and khap groups; Bajrang Punia said over 2,000 supporters were detained on 28 May 2023

What they said

Words in quote marks were matched in the source. Everything else is a summary; open the source for the exact words. Each statement says whether the speaker's party was in power or in opposition at the time.

Sources

1. 1Indian wrestlers demand arrest of federation chief at sit-inAl Jazeera, 24 Apr 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 24 Apr 2023
2. 2FIR against Brij Bhushan 'today', SC told. Court directs Delhi Police to assess threat to complainantsThePrint, Bhadra Sinha, 28 Apr 2023T4 ReportArchived 30 Apr 2023
3. 3Why are top Indian wrestlers protesting on the streets?Al Jazeera, 4 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 4 May 2023
4. 4Mahila Maha Panchayat: Farmers detained in Haryana, police clears protest site at Jantar MantarOnmanorama, 28 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 29 May 2023
5. 5Farmer leader Naresh Tikait stops wrestlers from immersing their medals in GangaScroll, 30 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 30 May 2023
6. 6'If No Action Taken by June 15, We'll Resume Protest': Bajrang Punia After Meeting Anurag ThakurThe Wire, 7 Jun 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 7 Jun 2023
7. 7Chargesheet weak, shows cops protecting Brij Bhushan Singh, says protesting wrestlerThePrint, Shubhangi Misra, 15 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 15 Jun 2023
8. 8'Congress puppets' — BJP's Babita Phogat denies she got wrestlers police nod for Jantar Mantar protestThePrint, Unnati Sharma, 18 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 18 Jun 2023
9. 9Motive is to protect the accused: Sidhu lends support to protesting wrestlersPTI via ThePrint, 1 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 2 May 2023
10. 10'Dictatorship': Protesting Indian wrestlers charged with riotingAl Jazeera, 28 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 28 May 2023
11. 11Brij Bhushan issued notice, wrestlers' plea challenging acquittal flags 'assumptions on victim behaviour'ThePrint, Ruchi Bhattar, 28 Sep 2026T4 ReportArchived 29 Sep 2026
12. 12Union Sports Ministry forms Oversight Committee headed by Khel Ratna MC Mary Kom to enquire into allegations against WFIPress Information Bureau (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports), 23 Jan 2023T1 RecordArchived 23 Jan 2023
13. 13Govt blinks: Wrestling chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh steps aside over sexual harassment probeThe Indian Express, Nihal Koshie, 21 Jan 2023T4 ReportArchived 21 Jan 2023
14. 14Brijbhushan said even if one girl came forward saying she was sexually harassed 'I will hang myself'….now there are five to six ready who have proof: Bajrang PuniaThe Indian Express, Nihal Koshie, 19 Jan 2023T4 ReportArchived 19 Jan 2023
15. 15Sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan: Govt note silent on allegations, wrestlers to move SC for FIRThe Indian Express, Mihir Vasavda, 24 Apr 2023T4 ReportArchived 24 Apr 2023
16. 16Wrestlers continue their protest, plan to move SC seeking action against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan SharanThe Hindu, Uthra Ganesan, 24 Apr 2023T4 ReportArchived 25 Apr 2023
17. 17XYZ & Ors. v. State NCT of Delhi & Ors., W.P.(Crl.) No. 189/2023, record of proceedings and order of 28 April 2023Supreme Court of India (copy published by LiveLaw), 28 Apr 2023T2 CourtArchived 2 May 2023
18. 18Decided To Register FIR Against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh On Women Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Complaint : Delhi Police Tells Supreme CourtLiveLaw, Padmakshi Sharma, 28 Apr 2023T4 ReportArchived 29 Apr 2023
19. 19Supreme Court closes wrestlers' petition, says 'purpose fulfilled' with FIR registration against WFI chiefThe Leaflet, Tushar Kohli, 4 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 19 May 2023
20. 20Delhi Police caught in midnight scuffle with wrestlers at Jantar Mantar; Vinesh, Bajrang suffer injuries, Dushyant Phogat gets cut on foreheadThe Times of India, Sabi Hussain, Sakshi Chand, 4 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 4 May 2023
21. 21'Cops more dangerous than Brij Bhushan Singh…time to return medals': Behind the chaos at Jantar MantarNewslaundry, Avdhesh Kumar, Anmol Pritam, 5 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 5 May 2023
22. 22Delhi Police detain wrestlers, clear Jantar MantarThe Indian Express, Jignasa Sinha, Nihal Koshie, 28 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 29 May 2023
23. 23Wrestlers detained while trying to march towards new Parliament building, Delhi police clears Jantar Mantar protest siteThe Hindu, Mehul Malpani, 28 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 28 May 2023
24. 24Protesting wrestlers detained, Jantar Mantar stir site clearedThe Tribune, Vinayak Padmadeo, 29 May 2023T4 ReportArchived 29 May 2023
25. 25Wrestlers' protest | FIR against organisers, others on charges of rioting, obstructing public servantPTI via The Hindu, 28 May 2023T5 SecondaryArchived 28 May 2023
26. 26Wrestlers-Govt logjam breaks: protest on pause, police chargesheet by June 15The Indian Express, Mihir Vasavda, Andrew Amsan, 7 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 7 Jun 2023
27. 27Wrestlers suspend protest on Minister's assuranceThe Hindu, Samridhi Tewari, Mehul Malpani, 7 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 7 Jun 2023
28. 28Brij Bhushan booked for sexual harassment, gets closure in POCSO caseThe Indian Express, Jignasa Sinha, Mahender Singh Manral, Nirbhay Thakur, 15 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 15 Jun 2023
29. 29Wrestlers protest | Delhi Police charge Brij Bhushan for outraging modesty, seek cancellation of POCSO caseThe Hindu, Ishita Mishra, Samridhi Tewari, 15 Jun 2023T4 ReportArchived 15 Jun 2023
30. 30Sufficient material on sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan: Court orders framing of chargesThe Indian Express, Nirbhay Thakur, 10 May 2024T4 ReportArchived 10 May 2024
31. 31Delhi court accepts cancellation report against ex-BJP MP Brij Bhushan in POCSO caseThe Indian Express, Nirbhay Thakur, 26 May 2025T4 ReportArchived 26 May 2025
32. 32Post on X by Babita Phogat replying to Sakshi Malik's video on the Jantar Mantar permission letterBabita Phogat (@BabitaPhogat), on X, Babita Phogat, 18 Jun 2023, In HindiT1 Record
33. 33Post on X by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the police action against the wrestlersPriyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi), on X, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, 28 May 2023, In HindiT1 Record

Similar precedents

Faded actions are ones this precedent does not share.