The Supreme Court of India on Thursday declined a request from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to expunge critical observations made by the Delhi High Court regarding wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials.
Supreme Court’s Decision
A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Aravind Kumar addressed the plea filed by the WFI against the High Court’s verdict, declaring it moot as Phogat had already participated in the selection trials. This participation followed an earlier Supreme Court order dated May 29. Despite refusing to expunge the remarks, the Bench clarified that this decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the High Court’s findings and observations. “In view of subsequent developments, this SLP is rendered infructuous. This court will not be taken as having to reiterate the findings and observations of the High Court. The issues are kept open,” the Bench stated.
Background of the Case
The WFI had contested the Delhi High Court’s decision dated May 22, which allowed Phogat to compete in the selection trials. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia noted that Phogat’s exclusion based on her maternity leave was unjust. The court criticized the WFI for issuing a “deplorable” show-cause notice to Phogat, labeling her disqualification from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight as a “national shame.” The High Court found the WFI’s actions vindictive and questioned the motives behind their language.
WFI’s Argument
Senior Advocate DN Goburdhun, representing the WFI, urged the Supreme Court to remove the High Court’s critical observations, arguing they were excessive and prejudicial. Goburdhun emphasized that the matter was still pending before a single judge in the High Court and that the harsh language could influence future proceedings. “The High Court judgment from para 31 onwards has to go. It has gone to the extent of saying malafide, deplorable, all of it has to be expunged,” he argued.
Phogat’s Position
Reports indicate that Phogat was ineligible for the trials as they were restricted to medalists from specific events in 2025 and 2026, events she had not competed in due to her earlier retirement announcement after the 2024 Olympics. The WFI accused her of indiscipline and anti-doping violations, referencing her Paris Olympics disqualification and alleged “whereabouts failures.” Phogat countered these claims, asserting that both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency had cleared her for competition from January 2026. She argued that the WFI’s actions were an attempt to force her retirement and were politically motivated.
