Delhi High Court asks wrestling body whether to let Vinesh Phogat compete in World trials
The Delhi High Court instructed the Wrestling Federation of India to state if Vinesh Phogat can join the upcoming World Championship selection trials and delayed its ruling on her disciplinary case.
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to clarify whether wrestler Vinesh Phogat should be allowed to compete in the selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championship scheduled for September 14 at Indira Gandhi Stadium. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ordered the federation’s counsel to seek instructions on both Phogat’s participation and the pending disciplinary proceedings, setting a hearing for Thursday.
Phogat, through lawyers Ashita Khanna, Ritwik Prakash and Rajshekhar Rao, contested a September 7 WFI circular that limited trial eligibility to specific medalists and participants, arguing that her maternity leave excluded her unfairly. She also sought an expedited hearing of her petition against disciplinary actions stemming from show-cause notices over alleged indiscipline, anti-doping breaches, and conduct at the 2026 Asian Games trials.
The court recalled its May 22 observation that the federation’s criteria for the Asian Games were overly restrictive and linked Phogat’s exclusion to her recent sabbatical. The matter follows Phogat’s earlier involvement in a high-profile protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was acquitted of sexual-harassment charges in August.
