The Delhi high court on Tuesday sought Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) response to quash the disciplinary proceedings initiated against wrestler Vinesh Phogat pursuant to show-cause notices (SCN) alleging indiscipline, violations of anti-doping regulations, and misconduct during the 2026 Asian Games selection trials.
The court however, clarified that it was neither directing Phogat’s appearance nor issuing notice on the petition, and had only asked WFI’s counsel to obtain instructions. In its order the court observed that Phogat’s exclusion from the selection trials was directly linked to her sabbatical and the temporary eligibility requirements. It noted that her maternity period and subsequent recovery coincided with the timing of the championships necessary to satisfy the eligibility criteria, thereby affecting her ability to qualify for the trials.
A bench of justice Swarana Kanta Sharma asked WFI’s counsel to obtain instructions after Phogat’s lawyers, senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao and advocates Ashita Khanna and Ritwik Prakash, submitted that the federation failed to comply with high court’s July 6 direction to decide, within two weeks, the May 9 SCN, alleging indiscipline and violations of anti-doping regulations. He said the federation now granted her a final opportunity to appear before the committee on September 2, place her submissions on record and the court must direct her to appear. The matter would be next heard on September 29. In that petition, the court sought WFI, Indian Olympic Association and Centre’s response and fixed November 18 as the next date of hearing. To be sure, the Delhi high court on May 22, while allowing Phogat to participate in the selection trials observed that WFI’s selection criteria for the Asian Games which restricted eligibility to wrestlers who won medals in 2025 while disregarding earlier performances was exclusionary. A trial court in Delhi on August 3 acquitted former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of all sexual harassment and criminal intimidation charges.
WFI’s counsel, Hemant Phalpher, submitted that Phogat had been called to appear before the disciplinary committee on two occasions but failed to do so.
