The Delhi High Court on Monday, July 6 directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over allegations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations. The court disposed of Phogat’s petition after the WFI assured it that the notice would be decided following a personal hearing and informed the court that her grievance over participation in the Asian Games selection trials had become infructuous.
The order comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Phogat and the WFI over her eligibility to compete after returning from a maternity break and the federation’s selection criteria for major international events.
Disposing of the petition, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed the federation to complete the process within a fixed timeline. “Within two weeks, decide the show-cause notice dated May 9 under intimation to the petitioner and the court,” the judge ordered as quoted by PTI.
Appearing for the WFI, the federation’s counsel told the court that Phogat would be granted a personal hearing before any decision was taken on the notice. When Phogat’s senior counsel argued that the petition also raised “larger issues” concerning the WFI’s selection policy, the court observed that those concerns could be pursued separately. “This can be disposed of, and then you can file a fresh writ petition,” the court said.
The court was informed that, pursuant to earlier judicial orders, Phogat had been allowed to participate in the Asian Games selection trials. Her counsel also told the bench that she had since received another show-cause notice relating to her conduct during those trials. The May 9 notice had declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events until June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month notice period applicable to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.
SELECTION POLICY UNDER CHALLENGE
In her petition, Phogat challenged the WFI’s selection policy and circular governing the Asian Games trials, arguing that eligibility had been restricted only to medal winners of specified tournaments. She contended that the qualification window substantially overlapped with her pregnancy and postpartum recovery period, creating what she described as a “closed and inflexible gatekeeping mechanism” that was arbitrary and discriminatory.
Earlier in the proceedings, a single-judge bench on May 18 allowed Phogat to file a comprehensive reply to the show-cause notice but declined to grant relief regarding her participation in the trials. However, on May 22, a division bench permitted her to compete, observing that the WFI’s selection policy was exclusionary because it left no room to accommodate an accomplished athlete returning from maternity leave.
The Supreme Court later declined to interfere with the High Court’s order, allowing Phogat to participate in the Asian Games selection trials held on May 30 and 31. However, her campaign ended in the semifinals of the women’s 53kg event, where she lost 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat.
– Ends
