Delhi High Court has rejected wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s petition related to the Asian Games trials. The court called it infructuous because Vinesh had already lost by participating in the trial. The court has also ordered WFI to take a decision on the notice within two weeks.
New Delhi [भारत]July 6 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed as infructuous the plea of veteran Indian wrestler and three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat challenging her initial exclusion from the upcoming Asian Games trials.
Was defeated in the trial
It is noteworthy that Vinesh’s trial took place in May this year after a long legal battle between her and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) over the selection policy for the Asian Games 2026. Phogat ultimately weighed 53.9 kg and was placed in the 53 kg draw. However, her hopes of contending for the Asian Games were dashed when she lost to Meenakshi in the semi-finals.
The court had allowed Phogat to take part after challenging the WFI’s selection policy, which limited eligibility to medal winners from specified domestic events. She argued that this was discriminatory because of her maternity leave. The case even reached the Supreme Court of India, which heard the WFI’s challenge and granted them interim relief to compete, although it also cautioned against excessive judicial interference in sports administration and stressed that national sporting events should not be disrupted.
Vinesh had approached the High Court challenging her initial exclusion from the Asian Games trials. However, Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma disposed of the petition observing that it had become infructuous.
Instructions to WFI to take decision on notice
Meanwhile, the High Court also directed the WFI to decide on the show cause notice issued to Vinesh within a period of two weeks. It is noteworthy that WFI had issued a show cause notice to Phogat on May 9. The federation raised several issues against him, including his failure to meet the weight limit during the 2024 Summer Olympics, failure to provide information on alleged anti-doping whereabouts, and his participation in two weight classes during trials for an Olympic qualifier. The WFI also argued that Phogat could not return to wrestling immediately as athletes are required to serve a notice period of six months after retirement under anti-doping rules.
On May 18, Delhi High Court had issued notice to WFI and other respondents on a petition by Vinesh Phogat. He had challenged the show cause notice issued against him and his initial exclusion from the trial. The high court had refused to grant any immediate relief and listed the matter for hearing on July 6. (ANI)
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