New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to take a final decision on the show-cause notice issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat within the next two weeks. The order came after the federation assured the court that Phogat would be given a personal hearing before any decision is made.
The court disposed of Phogat’s petition after noting that her request to participate in the Asian Games selection trials had already been addressed. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma instructed the WFI to complete the process within the given timeline and inform both Phogat and the court about its decision.
Selection policy remains under questionDuring the hearing, Phogat’s legal team argued that the case also involved larger concerns regarding the WFI’s selection rules. However, the court said those issues could be raised separately through a fresh petition instead of being linked to the present matter.
The show-cause notice, issued on May 9, declared Phogat ineligible to compete in domestic events until June 26, 2026. According to the WFI, the decision was based on the mandatory six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping regulations. Phogat has also received another notice related to her conduct during the Asian Games selection trials.
Maternity return at centre of disputePhogat has challenged the federation’s selection policy, arguing that it unfairly limited eligibility for the Asian Games trials to medal winners from specific tournaments. She claimed the qualification period largely overlapped with her pregnancy and postpartum recovery, making it impossible for her to meet the criteria.
Earlier, a single-judge bench had allowed her to submit a detailed reply to the show-cause notice but did not grant relief regarding the trials. Later, a division bench permitted her to compete, observing that the selection policy did not adequately consider athletes returning after maternity leave.
The Supreme Court also declined to interfere with that order, allowing Phogat to compete in the trials. She eventually reached the semi-finals of the women’s 53kg category before losing 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat.
-
IIT Bombay Develops AI Flood Prediction System With 93% Accuracy To Boost Disaster Preparedness In Coastal India

-
Wimbledon: Flavio Cobolli and Jasmine Paolini reach quarter-finals to keep Italian hopes alive

-
Hockey India Names 15 Players For Sub-Junior Men's National Camp Ahead Of Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026

-
Preserving a master's legacy through Sanctum

-
Exclusive - Pallavi Purohit calls for a fairer rating system; says ''TRPs Measured Eyeballs, Not Hearts”
