Big Setback for Vinesh Phogat: Delhi HC Refuses Immediate Relief in Asian Games Trials Battle

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant immediate relief to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had approached the court seeking permission to participate in the May 30–31 selection trials for this year’s Asian Games after being declared “ineligible” by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The court observed that such relief could not be granted without hearing the federation’s side and directed the WFI to conclude proceedings arising out of the show cause notice issued to the wrestler by July 6.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, while hearing the matter, said that a balance had to be maintained between the “competing interests” involved in the case, including the concerns of national sports administration. The court issued notice to the WFI and the Centre on Phogat’s plea challenging her ineligibility and granted the respondents two weeks to file their replies.

During the hearing, senior counsel appearing for Phogat argued that the wrestler should be allowed to participate in the Asian Games selection trials despite the federation’s decision. The counsel contended that internationally, female athletes who take maternity breaks are usually given protection in terms of ranking and participation, but the WFI’s latest policy had excluded Phogat from such consideration.

The court, however, orally remarked that since the wrestler had already been declared ineligible, interim relief could not be granted at this stage without examining the federation’s policy and hearing the respondents. “There are competing interests. Yes, we appreciate that you were on a maternity break, but at the same time, national interest is there,” the court observed.

Phogat’s counsel also alleged that “there is something more than what meets the eye” in the matter, pointing out that the show cause notice was issued to the wrestler on May 9, just a day before she was allegedly prevented from participating in a competition in Gonda on May 10 and 11. The counsel questioned why issues related to the Paris Olympics 2024 were being raised in the notice and sought permission for the wrestler to submit a detailed response.

Accepting the request, the High Court granted liberty to Phogat to file a comprehensive reply to the show cause notice. It also directed the WFI to take the proceedings to their “logical conclusion” before the next hearing and place its decision on record.

The matter is now scheduled to be heard on July 6.

The Wrestling Federation of India had earlier declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic events until June 26, 2026. The federation cited the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations. Despite the restriction, Phogat had appeared at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

Phogat remains one of India’s most prominent wrestlers and was among the athletes who led the 2023 protest against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment. She had also faced controversy during the 2024 Summer Olympics after being disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final for being 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in.

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