Vinesh Phogat denied last-minute reprieve for Asian Games Trials by High Court: 'How can we grant relief'

The Delhi High Court on Monday denied immediate relief to Vinesh Phogat after she sought permission to take part in the 2026 Asian Games selection trials on May 30-31. The court refused to intervene without hearing the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which declared Phogat ineligible to take part in WFI-related events until June 26.

No immediate relief for Vinesh

Vinesh's senior counsel argued that she should be allowed to participate in the trials, noting that internationally, female athletes on maternity leave retain their ranking and status. However, WFI’s latest policy excluded her from this protection.

"You have already been declared ineligible. How can we grant you that relief without hearing the other side? The (WFI) policy will have to be looked into. There are competing interests. Yes, we appreciate (that you were on a maternity break), but at the same time, there is the national interest. Let them file a reply," Justice Kaurav remarked, as quoted by PTI.

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The court, however, permitted Phogat to give a "comprehensive reply" to the WFI's show-cause notice to her over accusations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed the WFI to take the show-cause notice to "its logical conclusion" by July 6 and place its decision before it.

The judge issued a notice to the WFI, the Centre and the Indian Olympic Association on Phogat's petition over her "ineligibility", and said a balance must be maintained between the "competing interests" in this case.

Respondents given two weeks

Phogat's counsel said there was "something more than what meets the eye" in this case, as she was barred from participating in a competition in Gonda on May 10-11, a day after she was issued the show cause notice.

"The show cause notice was issued to me on May 9, raising issues of the Paris Olympics 2024. There is something more than what meets the eye," the senior counsel said, adding that Phogat should be allowed to give a detailed reply to the notice.

Justice Kaurav granted the respondents two weeks to file their replies to the petition, adding that it would not be possible for him to decide the case before the high court closes for summer vacation in June.

Back in August 2024, Phogat endured a heartbreak after being disqualified from the Olympic finals in the 50kg category for being overweight by just 100 grams during the morning weigh-in. She was also part of the wrestlers' protest against then-WFI president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment.

But Vinesh was undeterred by past setbacks and turned up at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda.

(With PTI Inputs)