Delhi High Court Reviews Vinesh Phogat's Challenge Against WFI Disciplinary Actions

Court Seeks Response from Wrestling Federation

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court requested the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to respond to a petition from Olympian Vinesh Phogat. This petition contests two show-cause notices issued against her, along with the resulting disciplinary actions. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma indicated that a formal notice would not be issued at this point and instructed the WFI's legal counsel to gather instructions. The case is scheduled for further discussion on September 29.

Claims of Unfair Treatment

Phogat's petition challenges the show-cause notices dated May 9 and June 17, asserting they are part of a pattern of arbitrary and discriminatory actions by the federation, which have hindered her return to competitive wrestling following maternity leave.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed on July 3, 2025, that Phogat would be eligible to compete starting January 1, 2026. Despite meeting the necessary requirements for her return, she alleges that the WFI implemented an eligibility framework that effectively excluded her from the selection process.

Concerns Regarding the First Show-Cause Notice

Phogat argues that the first show-cause notice is legally flawed, as it references outdated UWW Anti-Doping Rules from 2015 and a non-existent 'Rule 56.' She contends that the alleged violation does not meet the criteria for an Article 2.4 violation under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Additionally, the notice addresses her participation in two weight categories during the March 2024 Selection Trials, which she claims was explicitly allowed by the WFI's Ad-Hoc Committee.

Changes to Selection Framework and Second Notice

The petition further claims that while the previous proceedings were ongoing, the WFI modified its selection criteria by recognizing the Gonda tournament in Uttar Pradesh as an additional qualifying event. Phogat asserts that this change was not disclosed to the Supreme Court during a hearing on May 29.

After participating in the Selection Trials on May 30, where she raised concerns about the selection process, the WFI issued a second show-cause notice on June 17 regarding her conduct during those trials. Phogat describes the allegations in this notice as vague and lacking specificity. In her response dated June 30, she detailed the context of the alleged incidents and highlighted similar occurrences involving other wrestlers, suggesting that disciplinary measures were being selectively enforced against her.

Questioning the Disciplinary Committee's Legitimacy

Phogat's petition also questions the legitimacy of the WFI Disciplinary Committee's formation. She claims that the federation initially failed to disclose the committee's composition despite her repeated requests. The committee's details were only made available on the WFI's website on July 30, after she raised objections. She argues that the committee's composition was not documented in any formal order or resolution.

The petition asserts that these circumstances have created ongoing barriers to her return to elite competition, potentially affecting her eligibility and participation in upcoming events. Consequently, she seeks to have the two show-cause notices and all related disciplinary actions annulled.

Call for a Post-Maternity Framework

The High Court also reviewed a separate petition from Phogat, urging the WFI to establish a fair and transparent framework for women athletes returning to competitive sports after maternity. Phogat argues that women should not face disadvantages due to their inability to compete during pregnancy and recovery.

She claims that upon resuming her wrestling career post-childbirth, she was required to re-enter the competitive scene without any accommodations for her absence. The eligibility framework, according to her, relied on performances from tournaments held during her maternity, effectively penalizing her for circumstances beyond her control.

Justice Sharma issued notices to the WFI, the Union Government, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) regarding this petition, with a hearing scheduled for November.