Vinesh Phogat has never been one to shy away from a fight, but her latest move takes the battle from the wrestling mat to the very heart of the establishment. In an emotional video message on Sunday, May 3, 2026, the 31-year-old Olympian revealed that she is among the six female wrestlers who have lodged sexual harassment complaints against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
For years, Phogat was the face of the Jantar Mantar protests protected by the anonymity of the legal system. Now, she’s stripping away that shield to expose what she calls a "coordinated ambush" designed to sabotage her comeback and rig the 2026 Asian Games trials.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Role | Olympian & Haryana State Assembly Member (MLA) |
| New Weight Category | 57kg (Formerly 50kg/53kg) |
| Status | Returning from 18-month hiatus post-Paris 2024 |
| Key Allegation | Rigged trials in Gonda under Brij Bhushan's influence |
| Legal Status | One of six complainants in the sexual harassment case |
Vinesh’s revelation was prompted by the WFI’s decision to conduct the National Open Ranking Tournaments and selection trials in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. For context, Gonda is the personal bastion of Brij Bhushan. Vinesh contended that holding the competition at a private college owned by the man she has accused of harassment makes it impossible to have a fair trial.
Who will referee whose match, how many points a referee will give... all of this will be controlled by Brij Bhushan and his people. The government and our sports ministry are watching this as silent spectators.Vinesh Phogat
She questioned how any athlete could be expected to give 100% while surrounded by people connected to the man they are testifying against in court.
Despite Brij Bhushan’s official removal, Vinesh alleges the federation remains a proxy for the former chief.
Connection: Current WFI chief Sanjay Singh is widely seen as Brij Bhushan’s loyalist.
Officiating row: Vinesh fears that mat chairmen and referees will be swayed by political influence, blocking the comeback of those who dared to protest.
Weight shift: Competing in the 57kg division for the first time, Vinesh is also battling the physical toll of her hiatus and the heartbreak of her Paris 2024 disqualification.
2023 protests: Vinesh led months of sit-ins at Jantar Mantar, resulting in global headlines and an IOC rebuke of Indian authorities.
Legal trap: While Brij Bhushan was cleared in a POCSO case after a minor withdrew her statement, he still faces charges of sexual harassment and stalking involving Vinesh and five others.
Government accountability: Vinesh has declared that the Indian government will be held responsible for any "untoward incidents" involving her team during the Gonda trials.
Political pivot: Now a member of the Haryana Assembly, Vinesh carries the weight of both an athlete and a lawmaker into this confrontation.
Vinesh Phogat proved on Sunday that she is willing to sacrifice her dignity and honour to protect the integrity of Indian sport. By revealing her identity, she has turned the upcoming trials into a referendum on the WFI's transparency. If the trials proceed in Gonda under the cloud of these allegations, the results will be viewed through a lens of skepticism, regardless of who wins on the mat.