Brij Bhushan Biography: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been a notable presence in Indian politics for thirty five years.
A six-time Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, his career has included significant political achievements alongside serious legal controversies.
This Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh biography provides a factual overview of his life, career, and the events that have shaped his public profile.
Personal Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Full Name | Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Bishnoharpur, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh |
| Father’s Name | Late Shri Jagdamba Sharan Singh |
| Mother’s Name | Late Smt. Pyari Devi Singh |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Rajput (Thakur) |
| Spouse | Ketki Devi Singh (Former MP & Zila Panchayat President) |
| Children | • Karan Bhushan Singh (Son; Member of Parliament, Kaiserganj) • Prateek Bhushan Singh (Son; MLA, Gonda Sadar) • Shakti Singh (Son; Deceased) • One Daughter |
| Education | M.A., LL.B. (Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University) |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
Key Designations | 6-term Member of Parliament; Former President, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) |
Early Life and Education
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was born on January 8, 1957, in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, into a Rajput family.
He pursued legal studies and earned an LLB degree from Awadh University, Faizabad, in 1985.
Brij Bhushan Biography: His involvement in politics began during his student years. Before entering politics full-time, Singh was himself a wrestler, developing a passion for the sport that would later define a significant portion of his public career.
The political environment of Uttar Pradesh in the 1980s provided the context for his early activism, which would later form the foundation for his electoral career.
Political Career
Brij Bhushan Biography: The Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh political career began in the early 1990s during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
He won his first election to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from Gonda as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
Over the following three decades, Singh served six terms in Parliament. His constituencies included Gonda, Balrampur, and Kaiserganj.
The Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh political career has been marked by representation under different party banners. He was elected five times as a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh BJP member and once on a Samajwadi Party ticket.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: Political Timeline
Year / Period Political Event
- Late 1980s Entered public life through student politics and local political movements in eastern Uttar Pradesh
- 1991 Elected to the 10th Lok Sabha from Gonda as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate
- 1992 Became associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement during a major phase of national political mobilisation
- 1996 Unable to contest elections due to legal custody under TADA; his wife Ketki Devi Singh won the Gonda Lok Sabha seat
- 1999 Re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha from Gonda as a BJP MP
- 2004 Elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Balrampur
- 2008 Expelled from the BJP over cross-voting issues
- 2009 Joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) and won the 15th Lok Sabha election from Kaiserganj
- 2012 Appointed President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
- 2014 Rejoined the BJP and elected to the 16th Lok Sabha from Kaiserganj
- 2019 Re-elected to the 17th Lok Sabha from Kaiserganj
- 2023 Faced protests by wrestlers and legal cases; WFI leadership ended
- 2024 Denied BJP ticket for Lok Sabha elections; son Karan Bhushan Singh won the Kaiserganj seat
- 2025 POCSO-related case involving a minor wrestler formally closed after withdrawal of complaint
- 2026 Remains active in regional politics, social initiatives, and sporting events
Crossing Party Lines
Singh is among the few politicians who have successfully won elections under both BJP and Samajwadi Party symbols.
In 2009, after a falling out with the BJP, he joined the Samajwadi Party and won the Kaiserganj seat.
This demonstrated that his electoral support was tied to his personal influence rather than party affiliation alone. He later rejoined the BJP and continued his parliamentary career.
In the 2024 elections, the BJP did not field Singh as a candidate. Instead, his son Karan Bhushan Singh contested and won the Kaiserganj seat.
Family in Politics
Brij Bhushan Biography: Political representation appears to be a family endeavor for the Singhs.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is married to Ketki Devi Singh, who has served as a Member of Parliament.
In a notable instance in 1996, while Singh was imprisoned in Tihar Jail under TADA charges and unable to contest elections, his wife ran in his place and won the Gonda seat by a substantial margin, demonstrating his continuing political influence even during incarceration.
Their son Karan Bhushan Singh currently holds the Kaiserganj parliamentary seat and serves as President of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association.
Another son, Prateek Bhushan Singh, has been elected twice as MLA from Gonda Sadar.
Wrestling Federation Role
From 2012 to 2023, Singh served as President of the Wrestling Federation of India, a position he held for nearly 12 years.
During the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh wrestling federation tenure, the sport received increased funding and visibility.
Some have credited him with increasing the popularity of wrestling in India. Wrestling events were frequently held at educational institutions under his control.
He stepped down from the WFI presidency in 2023. However, he has continued to participate in wrestling-related events.
In February 2026, he attended the Pro Wrestling League finals and made public statements about the tournament.
Educational Network and Assets
Singh operates a network of over 50 educational institutions across the Devipatan division of Uttar Pradesh, covering districts including Gonda, Balrampur, Bahraich, and Shravasti.
These schools and colleges serve educational purposes, provide employment to locals, and also function as venues for sporting events, including major wrestling tournaments such as those held at Nandini Nagar Mahavidyalaya.
This extensive educational empire has been central to his regional influence.
According to his 2019 election affidavit filed with the Election Commission, his declared assets were valued at approximately ₹10-11 crore.
Reports have mentioned ownership of helicopters and extensive properties.
Campaign Style and Public Image
Singh has developed a distinctive campaign style over the years. He is known for using private helicopters during election seasons to travel between his various constituencies and educational institutions.
This practice of luxury travel has reinforced his image as a powerful regional figure, with supporters sometimes waiting for hours to witness his helicopter arrivals.
Controversies and Legal Matters
The Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh controversies include multiple legal cases filed over several decades.
In the mid-1990s, Singh was charged under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). The charges related to allegations of providing shelter to individuals connected to underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim following a shootout in Mumbai.
He was held in Tihar Jail for several months before being acquitted.
Following the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid, Singh was arrested by the CBI due to his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
A special court acquitted him of conspiracy charges in 2020.Public records indicate that Singh has faced approximately 38 to 40 criminal cases during his career, including charges related to murder, attempt to murder, and kidnapping.
Public Statements on Past Actions
In a 2022 interview with The Lallantop, Singh made an unusual statement for a public figure.
He stated on camera that he had killed a man in his youth to avenge the murder of his friend.
Recent Cases
In 2023, several prominent wrestlers, including Olympic medalists Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, made allegations of sexual misconduct against Singh.
These allegations led to street protests in Delhi that received significant national and international media coverage.
In May 2024, a Delhi court framed charges against Singh related to sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers.
The Delhi High Court declined to stay the proceedings in January 2026. The trial is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for April 21, 2026.
A separate case involving a minor wrestler was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This case was closed in May 2025 after the complainant and her father withdrew the charges.
Recent Public Activities
Despite not holding parliamentary office since 2024, Singh remains active in public discourse.
In January 2026, he publicly opposed certain UGC equity regulations introduced by the central government, describing them as unconstitutional and a threat to the country’s unity.
He expressed support for the Supreme Court’s decision to stay these regulations, showing that even without an official parliamentary seat, he continues to voice strong opinions on national policy matters.
He continues to make appearances at sporting and social events in Uttar Pradesh and maintains a visible presence in regional politics.
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