New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant immediate interim relief to star grappler Vinesh Phogat, declining her plea to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated that the court could not grant such a directive without hearing the opposing side first. Phogat had approached the high court after being declared ineligible to compete by the Wrestling Federation of India. Despite the setback regarding the immediate trials, the court permitted Phogat to submit a comprehensive response to the show-cause notice issued to her by the federation over allegations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.
During the proceedings, Justice Kaurav issued formal notices to both the wrestling body and the central government, giving them two weeks to submit their respective replies. The court highlighted the necessity of balancing competing interests, noting that while the athlete’s circumstances, including her recent maternity break, are appreciated, the broader national interest must also be carefully evaluated. Her legal counsel vigorously argued that international sports protocols protect the rankings and eligibility status of female athletes on maternity leave, a protection she claimed was missing from the federation’s latest selection criteria. The court remarked that allowing participation prior to a full review could cause unnecessary complications if her ineligibility is ultimately upheld.
The legal dispute follows a directive by the federation that declared Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic wrestling events until June 26, 2026. The governing body cited a mandatory six-month notice period required under anti-doping guidelines for athletes returning to competition from formal retirement. Phogat’s counsel argued that there was more to the situation than meets the eye, pointing out that she was abruptly barred from a tournament in Gonda just a day after the show-cause notice was issued on May 9. The federation has been directed by the high court to take the show-cause notice to its logical conclusion and place its final decision on record before the next hearing date on July 6.
