'Infructuous': SC Dismisses WFI's Plea Against Delhi HC Order Letting Vinesh Phogat Join Selection Trials

Last Updated:June 04, 2026, 12:51 IST

WFI had challenged the Delhi High Court order of May 22 allowing Phogat to participate in the selection trials.

The Supreme Court on Thursday declared that the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) plea challenging a Delhi High Court order allowing star wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in selection trials has become infructuous.

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Aravind Kumar noted that subsequent developments had overtaken the controversy, as Phogat was eventually permitted to compete in the selection trials but failed to secure selection.

The bench made it clear that it was not examining, endorsing, or reiterating the observations made by the Delhi High Court in its earlier order. “This court should not be taken as having reiterated the findings and observations made in the order," the judges said, adding that all issues in the matter remain open.

Senior advocate DN Goburdhun, appearing for the WFI, informed the court that although Phogat had been allowed to take part in the trials, she did not succeed. “She did not succeed but she created havoc over there," he submitted, without elaborating further on the alleged disruption.

The bench, however, indicated that the central issue no longer survived for adjudication, telling the senior counsel that the matter had become pointless.

Goburdhun further argued that the Delhi High Court had made certain adverse observations about the decisions of the Federation, describing them as “malafide" and “deplorable". He contended that these remarks should not stand, especially as the matter is still pending before a single judge of the high court. “All these observations will have to go as the matter is pending before the single bench," he submitted.

In response, the Supreme Court chose not to interfere with or expunge the high court’s comments at this stage. Instead, it left all questions open for consideration by the appropriate forum and disposed of the WFI’s plea as infructuous.

Earlier, on May 29, the Supreme Court had allowed Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31 for the Asian Games 2026. The WFI had approached the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court’s May 22 order, which had permitted Phogat to take part in those trials.

About the Author

News Desk

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ...Read More

News india 'Infructuous': SC Dismisses WFI's Plea Against Delhi HC Order Letting Vinesh Phogat Join Selection Trials

Read More