The Delhi High Court has concluded proceedings on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s petition regarding her exclusion from the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) selection process, while allowing her the option to file a new plea challenging the selection policy. The order was issued by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who directed the WFI to resolve the show cause notice issued to Phogat within a two-week period.
The case arose after the WFI barred Phogat from domestic competitions, accusing her of indiscipline and violations of anti-doping rules. The show cause notice, dated May 9, was also contested by Phogat, who was initially excluded from the Asian Games trials. Justice Sharma instructed, “Within two weeks, you decide the show cause notice under intimation to this court and the petitioner.” The Court also noted that Phogat is entitled to file a separate plea if she wishes to challenge the federation’s selection policy.
Phogat approached the High Court in May, after being disallowed from participating in trials due to a policy that restricted eligibility to medalists of specific competitions held in 2025 and 2026. Phogat, a three-time Olympian, had announced her retirement post the 2024 Olympics but made a return in December 2025. The show cause notice from the WFI alleged indiscipline, anti-doping rule violations, and non-compliance with the mandatory return-to-competition procedures outlined by United World Wrestling, insisting that Phogat failed to observe a six-month notice period prior to her comeback.
The notice also highlighted her disqualification from the 2024 Paris Olympics for being over the weight limit, describing it as a “national embarrassment”. Moreover, it cited “whereabouts failures” related to anti-doping protocols. In response, Phogat refuted these claims, asserting that both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency had cleared her to compete from January 2026. She characterized the federation’s actions as coercive and politically driven, suggesting an attempt to force her into retirement.
Initially, a single judge had declined to issue interim orders favoring Phogat, but a Division Bench later permitted her participation in the trials. The Bench criticized the WFI’s “exclusionary” policy, emphasizing that motherhood should not bar or marginalize female athletes such as Phogat. The Bench also condemned the WFI’s show cause notice as “deplorable” and vindictive.
The WFI contested the Division Bench’s decision in the Supreme Court, which refused to erase the High Court’s remarks. Following these proceedings, Phogat participated in the Asian Games trials but did not qualify. The High Court’s latest order has closed the existing pleas, while mandating the WFI to finalize the show cause notice decision.
Phogat’s legal representation included Senior Advocate Raj Shekhar Rao and advocates Ritwik Prakash, Vishakha Gupta, Aashita Khanna, and Neil M Goswami. Advocate Hemant Phalpher appeared on behalf of the WFI.
