Vinesh Phogat Row: Delhi HC Tells WFI to Take Call on Show-Cause Notice in 2 Weeks

Last Updated:July 06, 2026, 16:56 IST

Delhi High Court directed WFI to decide on Vinesh Phogat's show-cause notice within two weeks. Phogat's Asian Games trial petition was disposed of.

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to take a decision within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat over allegations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.

According to PTI, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma disposed of Phogat’s petition after the WFI informed the court that her grievance regarding participation in the Asian Games selection trials had become infructuous. The federation’s counsel assured the court that a decision on the notice would be taken, following which the petition could be closed.

“Within two weeks, decide the show-cause notice dated May 9 under intimation to the petitioner and the court," the judge ordered while disposing of the plea.

The WFI further told the court that Phogat would be given a personal hearing before any final decision is taken on the notice.

Phogat’s senior counsel, however, maintained that the petition raised “larger issues" concerning the federation’s selection policy and related circulars. The court responded that those concerns could be agitated through a fresh plea, stating, “This can be disposed of, and then you can file a fresh writ petition."

The court was informed that, pursuant to earlier judicial directions, Phogat had been permitted to participate in the Asian Games selection trials. Her counsel also submitted that she has since received a fresh show-cause notice regarding her conduct during the trials.

Earlier, on May 9, the WFI had issued a show-cause notice to Phogat and declared her ineligible to compete in domestic events till June 26, 2026. The federation cited the mandatory six-month notice period applicable to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

In her petition, Phogat challenged the WFI’s selection policy and circular, which restricted eligibility for the Asian Games trials to medal winners of certain tournaments. She argued that the “qualification window" substantially overlapped with her maternity break, including pregnancy and postpartum recovery, thereby creating a “closed and inflexible gatekeeping mechanism" that was “manifestly arbitrary and discriminatory."

On May 18, a single-judge bench had permitted Phogat to file a “comprehensive reply" to the show-cause notice but declined to grant her relief regarding participation in the trials. Subsequently, on May 22, a division bench allowed her to compete in the trials held on May 30-31, observing that the WFI’s selection policy was exclusionary due to the lack of discretion to consider an “iconic player" like Phogat returning from a maternity break.

The Supreme Court, on May 29, refused to interfere with the High Court’s order and allowed her to participate.

Phogat’s campaign, however, ended in the semifinals of the women’s 53kg category, where she lost 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat.

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Aakash Biswas

A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I...Read More

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