New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has issued a strongly worded 15-page showcause notice to star wrestler and Haryana MLA Vinesh Phogat following her recent social media video in which she accused the federation, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Indian Olympic Association of obstructing her return to competitive wrestling. The notice, served on Saturday, accuses Phogat of “indiscipline,” damaging the image of Indian wrestling, and violating anti-doping regulations. Phogat, who currently serves as an MLA from Julana in Haryana, had announced her retirement after the heartbreak of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified ahead of the gold medal bout for being 100 gm overweight in the 50kg category. Her dramatic exit from the Games triggered nationwide debate and marked the beginning of her political journey. After giving birth to a son in July 2025, Phogat began preparing for a return to the mat toward the end of the year. However, her comeback bid has now run into controversy. Also Read – Capitals get Finnished off WFI’s sharp criticism In the showcause notice, the WFI held Phogat directly responsible for what it described as a major embarrassment for Indian wrestling at the Paris Olympics. “Your failure to manage your own weight in the highest international competition, after voluntarily opting to drop down to the 50kg category from your usual higher weight category, resulted in: (a) the loss of an assured Olympic medal for India; (b) the silver medal being awarded to another nation; (c) widespread negative media coverage; and (d) lasting damage to the reputation of Indian wrestling and the WFI,” the notice stated. Also Read – Titans target top-4 surge vs RR as mid-table fight intensifies The federation has also accused Phogat of violating anti-doping protocols related to “whereabouts failure” and non-compliance with Registered Testing Pool (RTP) obligations. According to the WFI, Phogat was re-entered into the testing pool after deciding to resume competitive wrestling but allegedly failed to make herself available for mandatory urine sample collection during the required six-month period following her return. Additionally, the federation cited an alleged violation of United World Wrestling (UWW) competition rules during the March 2024 Olympic trials, claiming that Phogat competed in two weight categories — something not permitted under the regulations. As a consequence, Phogat has been barred from participating in the National Open Ranking Tournament scheduled to be held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10 to 12. The tournament was expected to play a key role in selection pathways for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.