WFI Receives Vinesh Phogat's Reply On Show Cause Notice, To Take Decision As Per Rules

Last Updated:June 05, 2026, 10:12 IST

Last month, Wrestling Federation of India had issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday said that it has received the reply from Vinesh Phogat on the show-cause notice served on her and that it would adjudicate the matter in accordance with its rules and procedures.

The national federation issued a statement after the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by WFI against a Delhi High Court order, allowing the World Championships medallist Vinesh to participate in selection trials, terming it as “infructuous" in view of subsequent developments.

“WFI has received the Respondent’s (Vinesh’s) reply to the Show Cause Notice, which shall be adjudicated in accordance with WFI’s rules and procedures," WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh said in the statement.

On May 9, WFI had issued a show-cause notice to Vinesh, accusing her of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.

“WFI further notes that the conduct of certain wrestlers at the Selection Trials is under consideration and a decision in that regard is yet to be taken," he said, apparently referring to Vinesh’s conduct without naming her in the statement.

On May 22, a division bench of Delhi High Court had given its nod to the participation of Vinesh in the Asian Games selection trials, saying the WFI’s selection policy was exclusionary for the lack of discretion to consider an iconic player like her, returning from a maternity break.

The WFI had challenged the Delhi High Court order allowing Vinesh to participate in the selection trials.

On May 29, the SC permitted Vinesh to participate in the selection trials held on May 30 and 31.

But Vinesh lost to Meenakshi Goyat in the 53kg semifinals, ending her hopes of making it to the Indian team for the Asian Games.

The WFI also reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment" to a “level playing field for every wrestler".

“WFI wishes to make it unequivocally clear that all future selections shall be strictly merit-based, without exception or exemption to any wrestler, regardless of stature or past achievements."

“There shall be no shortcuts to national selection," it said.

Earlier this month, the WFI had declared Vinesh ineligible to participate in domestic events till June 26, citing the mandatory six-month notice period linked to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

A defiant Vinesh, however, showed up at the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda.

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Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience ...Read More

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