Delhi High Court angry at Wrestling Federation, asked sharp questions to WFI on the decision to disqualify Vinesh Phogat
Delhi. The Delhi High Court on Friday slammed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for its decision to declare renowned female wrestler Vinesh Phogat ‘ineligible’ to participate in domestic competitions and directed the Center to set up an expert panel to evaluate her. A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia remarked that the WFI not following the past practice of allowing top players to participate ‘speaks volumes’.
Sangh should not act with a spirit of ‘vindictiveness’: Bench
The bench asked the Center to ensure that Phogat is allowed to participate in the selection trials for the upcoming Asian Games. Vinesh wants to return to sports after maternity leave. The bench emphasized that motherhood is celebrated in the country and the union should not act in a spirit of ‘vindictiveness’. The court asked the Center to constitute an expert panel to evaluate Phogat as the government counsel said Sports Authority of India (SAI) rules allow relaxation in eligibility criteria in certain cases.
Disqualified by WFI
“Ask experts to evaluate his possibilities,” the court said orally. Ensure that he can participate.” The court also made it clear that it will hear the matter again at 2:30 pm so that the government lawyer can present more information regarding the composition of the team. The court was hearing Phogat’s appeal challenging the single judge’s May 18 order denying her immediate relief on the issue of her participation in the selection trials for this year’s Asian Games to be held on May 30-31 despite being declared ‘ineligible’ by the WFI. Phogat’s lawyer urged the bench to give him an opportunity to participate in the trials.
Show cause notice to them one day before participation
The lawyer argued that the show cause notice served to her a day before her participation in a domestic competition in Gonda on May 9 shows that “someone is trying to prevent her from participating in the competition.” The court expressed its displeasure over the show cause notice, claiming that Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics was a matter of “national shame” and questioned why it should not be assumed that the WFI had changed the selection criteria for her.
The court said, “She became a mother in July 2025.” Right now it is the month of May. He is an internationally renowned wrestler. Why can’t it be assumed that you might have changed the selection criteria for them? Whatever the controversy or disagreement, why should the sports world suffer? Motherhood is celebrated in the country, should any person have to bear the cost of it?
The court further said, “Everything becomes clear with the changes made in the circular. Don’t behave like this. This is not in the interest of sports. Not following the earlier circular speaks volumes.” The WFI had declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic competitions till June 26, 2026, citing the six-month mandatory notice period for players returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.
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