The Delhi High Court has refused to grant interim relief to renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat, denying her request to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, the court upheld the eligibility criteria established by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), emphasizing the importance of a fair and uniform selection process.
Justice Sharma articulated that relaxing the eligibility rules exclusively for Phogat at this preliminary stage could set a problematic precedent. “The country’s interest in selecting representatives through a fair, uniform, and performance-based process is paramount. At this interim stage, this Court believes that the eligibility criteria applicable to all athletes should not be relaxed solely for the petitioner, especially since such relaxation might impact other similarly situated athletes absent from this Court,” the judge stated.
The World Championships are scheduled to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1. Phogat had approached the High Court to challenge WFI’s circular dated September 7, which outlined eligibility based on participation in specific competitions during 2025 and 2026. Phogat contended that her absence from these events was due to pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum recovery.
She further argued that she was barred from participating in the Senior Open Ranking Tournament at Gonda after WFI issued a show-cause notice, declaring her ineligible. The court recalled that Phogat had previously been allowed by a Division Bench of the High Court to partake in the Asian Games Selection Trials in May, where she reached the semi-finals in the 53 kg category but was not selected for the Asian Games.
The court highlighted that the show-cause notice regarding alleged misconduct during those trials is still pending. Justice Sharma noted that WFI’s eligibility criteria apply universally to all athletes and were not specifically designed to target Phogat.
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While acknowledging that Phogat’s maternity-related absence must be considered in evaluating WFI’s selection policy, the Bench concluded that this does not entitle her to participate in the trials at the interim stage. “Granting her a special dispensation would be unfair to other athletes across the country with similar grievances against the policy but who are not before this Court. Moreover, it would open a Pandora’s box with other athletes seeking similar exceptions from the prescribed eligibility criteria. Such a direction cannot be issued at this stage without first examining and adjudicating upon the policy’s validity,” the Court ruled.
During the proceedings, the Court orally suggested that WFI develop guidelines to facilitate the participation of female athletes returning from maternity leave. Justice Sharma remarked on the need to balance the interests of the country with those of individual athletes.
Vinesh Phogat was represented by Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, along with advocates Aashita Khanna, Ritwik Prakash, Neil M Goswami, and Vishakha Gupta. Advocates Hemant Phalpher and Karishmit Keswani appeared on behalf of the WFI.
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