Delhi High Court to Decide on Vinesh Phogat's Participation in Wrestling Trials
Court's Inquiry into Phogat's Eligibility
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court inquired whether the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) could allow wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in the upcoming selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championship. The court also took into account her plea to postpone any final decisions in the disciplinary actions against her until the case is reviewed. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma instructed the WFI's legal representative to gather information on both matters and scheduled the next hearing for Thursday.
Phogat's Legal Challenges
The court was addressing two motions submitted by Phogat regarding her ongoing case against the WFI. One motion requested an expedited hearing of her petition contesting the disciplinary actions initiated after she received show-cause notices related to allegations of misconduct, anti-doping violations, and indiscipline during the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games.
In her second motion, Phogat contested a circular issued by the WFI on September 7, which outlined the eligibility criteria for the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championship. These trials are set to take place on September 14 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, aimed at selecting the Indian team for the World Championship scheduled in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.
Eligibility Criteria Concerns
According to the WFI's circular, eligibility is limited to specific medalists from designated national tournaments, wrestlers attending the National Coaching Camp, and those selected for the 2026 U20 World Wrestling Championship. Phogat argued that she does not meet any of the outlined categories, thus preventing her from participating in the trials.
Phogat's Stance on Maternity
During the proceedings, Phogat's attorney, Rajshekhar Rao, pointed out that although the court had previously set September 29 for hearing her petition regarding the disciplinary actions, the WFI later issued a notice for a hearing on September 9, labeling it as her final chance. Rao emphasized that Phogat is willing to engage in the proceedings but requested that the disciplinary committee be barred from making a final decision at this time. He stated, "My maternity cannot come in the way of my eligibility to participate. I’m not asking for a free pass."
Phogat has maintained that her absence from certain competitions, which are now part of the eligibility criteria, was due to her maternity leave and the recovery period that followed. The application also references a prior ruling from the Delhi High Court that allowed Phogat to compete in the Asian Games selection trials, highlighting the court's concerns about how restrictive eligibility rules affect athletes who take breaks for maternity.
WFI's Opposition to Phogat's Requests
The WFI opposed Phogat's requests, asserting that she had been given five chances to appear before the disciplinary committee. The federation's legal representative noted that she did not attend the hearing scheduled for September 2, citing the ongoing nature of her writ petition.
Phogat is seeking temporary orders regarding her participation in the September 14 selection trials and is also asking for protection against any final decisions in the disciplinary proceedings for the time being. The applications were submitted through her attorneys, Ashita Khanna and Ritwik Prakash. The Delhi High Court is set to hear the matter on Thursday.