Supreme Court Allows Vinesh Phogat to Compete in Asian Games Trials Amid Controversy

The Supreme Court has permitted wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, highlighting concerns over judicial interference in sports governance. This decision follows a directive from the Delhi High Court, which mandated that the trials be supervised by independent observers to ensure transparency. The ongoing dispute centers around the Wrestling Federation of India's selection policy, which has been challenged by Phogat due to its restrictive eligibility criteria. The case raises significant questions about the intersection of sports and legal oversight, with the next hearing scheduled for June 1.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2026, 21:30 IST

Court Directives for Vinesh Phogat's Trials

Following a directive from the Delhi High Court, Aditi Chauhan from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and MM Somaiya from the Union Sports Ministry/Sports Authority of India (SAI) will oversee the trials of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at Indira Gandhi Stadium this Saturday, according to sources from the Union Sports Ministry.

Supreme Court's Involvement

On Friday, the Supreme Court granted permission for veteran wrestler Vinesh Phogat to take part in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026. The court raised concerns about excessive judicial involvement in sports governance, stating, "If it were anyone else, the situation would be different. She has made the nation proud."

The Supreme Court also expressed its discontent regarding the Delhi High Court's handling of the case, warning that swift judicial interventions could disrupt both national and international sporting events. "You have been an outstanding athlete. But the country comes first," the court remarked while addressing a plea from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) that contested Phogat's participation in the trials.

Justice PS Narasimha emphasized, "These are not medical college admissions; national and international sports should not be subject to such court disruptions." The Supreme Court provided interim relief to Phogat and requested her response to the WFI's petition against her trial participation, with the next hearing set for Monday, June 1.

Delhi High Court's Order

In a ruling on May 22, the Delhi High Court mandated that Phogat be allowed to compete in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court also ordered that the trials be recorded on video and conducted under the supervision of independent observers from the SAI and IOA to ensure a transparent selection process.

This directive was issued by a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia while reviewing Phogat's appeal against an earlier interim order from a single-judge Bench that denied her interim relief in her ongoing writ petition challenging the WFI's selection policy and a show-cause notice issued to her.

Dispute Over WFI Selection Policy

Phogat previously contested the WFI's Asian Games Selection Policy established on February 25, 2026, along with a circular from May 6, 2026, which limited eligibility for the trials to medalists from certain domestic tournaments held in 2025 and 2026.

The court noted that Phogat had informed the International Testing Agency (ITA) in December 2024 about her maternity leave and her intention to return to competition. After giving birth in July 2025, she resumed her training, and the ITA confirmed her eligibility to compete starting January 1, 2026.

The court found that Phogat's maternity leave prevented her from participating in the qualifying championships, which led to her exclusion from the trials. The Bench deemed the WFI's policy and circular as arbitrary and discriminatory, as they limited participation to medal winners from specific events, thereby excluding athletes like Phogat.

Additionally, the court criticized the WFI's comments in the show-cause notice regarding Phogat's involvement in the Paris Olympics 2024 weigh-in incident, labeling them as "deplorable" and vindictive, especially since the Court of Arbitration for Sport had previously ruled that Phogat had committed no wrongdoing. The Division Bench clarified that it had not made any final judgments on the case's merits, and the pending writ petition would be evaluated independently.