'Brijbhushan harassed me too': Vinesh Phogat reveals she is among six sexual harassment complainants

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat publicly identifies herself as one of six victims in the sexual harassment case against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, citing unfair trial arrangements in Gonda ahead of Asian Games 2026.

In a move that has jolted Indian sport, Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat has come forward to disclose that she is one of six women who formally complained of sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India. Until now she had maintained anonymity, in line with Supreme Court guidelines protecting the dignity of complainants in such cases. She broke that silence on Saturday in a video statement, citing what she described as deliberate institutional pressure being mounted against her return to competition.

Breaking a long silence

Phogat was measured but unmistakably distressed as she explained her decision to speak. "The Supreme Court guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed," she said, before adding that circumstances had made it impossible for her to stay quiet any longer. "I want to say that I myself am one of those six victims who filed a complaint, and our testimonies are still ongoing." It is the first time any of the complainants has voluntarily identified herself in the case, which remains under trial before a Delhi court.

The Gonda problem

The immediate trigger, Phogat said, was a decision by the current WFI leadership to hold the Asian Games 2026 ranking trials at a wrestling facility in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh — a town strongly associated with Brij Bhushan, who maintains a private college and substantial local influence there. She called the choice of venue anything but coincidental.

"He has his own private college, and this competition is being organised there," she said. "That every hardworking athlete will get their due there — this is something very unlikely and almost impossible." She alleged that Brij Bhushan continues to direct affairs at the federation through its current president, 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," she said, accusing the sports ministry of watching as a silent spectator.

Mental toll on a comeback attempt

Phogat has been working toward competitive wrestling again after stepping away following the heartbreak of Paris 2024, where she was disqualified from the gold medal final on a weight issue in one of the most controversial moments in Indian Olympic history. Her statement made clear that the prospect of competing in Gonda is deeply unsettling.

"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," she said. "Even after that, whether I will be able to go there and give my 100 percent, I do not think so." She spoke explicitly about the psychological weight that survivors carry into competitive situations. "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."

A protest movement revisited

Phogat was one of the most prominent faces of the prolonged sit-in at Jantar Mantar in early 2023, where she, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik led wrestlers in demanding Brij Bhushan's arrest and removal. Their agitation drew national attention and eventually led to the former WFI chief stepping down, though his supporters have retained considerable influence within the federation's structure. The criminal case — which includes charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in relation to one complainant who was a minor — has moved slowly through the courts.

Pressure mounts on sports ministry

Her statement puts fresh heat on the sports ministry and its oversight of WFI. Critics have repeatedly argued that despite formal leadership changes at the federation, the old power network remains intact. Phogat's account of how referees and match outcomes could be manipulated in Gonda gives that criticism a sharper, more specific edge. Sources within the wrestling community said several other ranked wrestlers share her concerns about the venue but have not spoken publicly.

Whether the WFI or the sports ministry responds by reconsidering the venue, or pushes ahead with Gonda, will be closely watched — and is likely to define Vinesh Phogat's decision on whether she competes in the Asian Games trials at all.