HC asks WFI to decide on Phogat’s notice in 2 weeks

New Delhi: Delhi High Court Monday asked Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat over accusations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma closed the proceedings on Phogat’s petition, which challenged the notice. The plea had also challenged WFI’s selection policy and circular, after the federation’s counsel submitted that her grievance relating to participation in the Asian Games selection trials was now fruitless.The WFI counsel assured the court that the show-cause notice would be decided and the petition could be closed after Phogat is given a personal hearing.Even as Phogat’s counsel asserted that the petition raised “larger issues” with respect to the selection policy, the court said the athlete would have to file a fresh petition.The court was informed that following earlier orders, Phogat was permitted to participate in the Asian Games trials. However Phogat’s lawyer told it that she has received a fresh show-cause notice for her conduct at the trials.On May 9, WFI had issued the show-cause notice to Phogat and declared her ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, 2026, citing the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

On May 18, a single-judge bench permitted Phogat to give a “comprehensive reply” to the show-cause notice. It, however, refused to give her any relief on the issue of her participation in the Asian Games trials. Within four days, a division bench reversed the decision and allowed her to participate in the trials for the Asian Games that were held on May 30-31. Supreme Court on May 29 refused to interfere with the direction and permitted her to play.Phogat was knocked out of the Asian Games selection trials after losing to Meenakshi Goyat 4-6 in a tense semifinal bout of the women’s 53kg event.