Delhi HC pulls up WFI over Vinesh Phogat’s ineligibility, seeks panel for Asian Games trials

The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the Wrestling Federation of India’s decision to declare wrestler Vinesh Phogat ineligible for domestic wrestling events and sought the formation of an expert panel to examine her participation in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials. The bench observed that the federation’s departure from earlier selection practices “speaks volumes” and remarked that motherhood should not become a disadvantage for an athlete returning to competition.

During the hearing, the court asked the Centre to ensure that Phogat, who returned after a maternity break, is allowed to participate in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The bench orally observed that disputes within wrestling administration should not affect the sport and questioned why the selection criteria appeared to have changed after her return. The court also criticised the language used in the federation’s show-cause notice, which referred to her Paris Olympics disqualification as a “national shame”.

The dispute began after the Wrestling Federation of India issued a 15-page show-cause notice to Phogat on May 9, accusing her of indiscipline, anti-doping procedural violations and damaging the reputation of Indian wrestling during the Paris Olympics. The federation subsequently declared her ineligible for domestic events until June 26, citing a mandatory six-month notice period applicable to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations.

Phogat challenged the federation’s selection policy and argued that the eligibility criteria for the Asian Games trials had been changed to restrict participation to recent domestic medal winners. According to the policy issued on February 25 and a circular released on May 6, only medal winners from specified national championships and federation events held before the trials would be eligible, while past performances would not be considered. Phogat stated that she could not participate in those events due to pregnancy and maternity recovery.

The court was informed that despite the ban, Phogat participated in the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda. Her counsel argued that the timing of the show-cause notice, issued a day before the event, indicated an attempt to prevent her participation. The bench also referred to Phogat becoming a mother in July 2025 and questioned why the federation could not accommodate an athlete of international standing. Phogat was among the wrestlers who led protests in 2023 against alleged sexual harassment by former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.