New Delhi, July 7: The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to take a final decision within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over allegations of indiscipline and violations linked to anti-doping regulations.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma disposed of Phogat’s petition after recording the WFI’s submission that her grievance concerning participation in the Asian Games selection trials had become infructuous. The court ordered the federation to decide the show\ cause notice dated May 9 and communicate the outcome both to the petitioner and the court within the stipulated period.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the WFI assured the court that Phogat would be granted a personal hearing before any final order is passed on the notice. The court’s direction effectively closes the present round of litigation, though it leaves open the possibility of a fresh legal challenge if the wrestler wishes to contest broader issues related to the federation’s selection rules.
Phogat had approached the High Court challenging not only the show cause notice but also the WFI’s selection policy and circular governing eligibility for the Asian Games selection trials. Her plea argued that the policy unfairly restricted participation to medal winners from specified tournaments, thereby excluding deserving athletes through an arbitrary qualification framework.
The wrestler contended that the “qualification window” fixed by the WFI substantially overlapped with her sabbatical period taken due to pregnancy and postpartum recovery. According to her petition, this created an inflexible and exclusionary mechanism that effectively shut her out of the trial process despite her standing as one of India’s top wrestlers.
The court, however, noted that the issue relating to Asian Games trials no longer survived in the present petition because Phogat had already been permitted to participate in the selection process pursuant to earlier judicial intervention. Since the immediate relief sought on that count had already been addressed, the bench held that the petition could be disposed of, while clarifying that any challenge to the wider policy framework would have to be raised through a fresh writ petition.
Phogat’s senior counsel argued before the court that the matter involved “larger issues” beyond the individual show-cause notice, particularly in relation to the fairness and legality of the WFI’s selection criteria. The court responded that while such concerns could be pursued, they would require an independent challenge rather than continuation of the present proceedings.
The court was also informed that Phogat has now received another show-cause notice concerning her conduct during the Asian Games selection trials. This development indicates that her legal dispute with the federation may continue, even as the court has brought the current petition to a close.
The original notice issued on May 9 had declared Phogat ineligible to compete in domestic events until June 26, 2026. The WFI relied on anti-doping regulations that prescribe a mandatory six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement. The federation had alleged that Phogat’s return to competition without fulfilling that requirement rendered her ineligible and invited disciplinary action.
Phogat, however, challenged the applicability and fairness of that action, arguing that the federation’s approach ignored the realities of her temporary break from the sport due to maternity and recovery. Her plea framed the issue as one involving equal opportunity, athlete welfare, and non-discriminatory treatment in elite sport.
The High Court’s order does not pronounce on the merits of the allegations against Phogat or on the legality of the WFI’s policy. Instead, it places the immediate responsibility back on the federation to complete the show-cause proceedings in accordance with due process. The assurance of a personal hearing is likely to be significant for the wrestler, as it gives her an opportunity to place her case on record before any adverse decision is taken.
The case has drawn attention because it sits at the intersection of sports governance, athlete rights, and maternity-related considerations in competitive sport. Phogat’s challenge to the qualification window raised questions over whether sporting bodies should provide greater flexibility to athletes who take time away from competition for pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
For now, the WFI must decide the pending show cause notice within the two-week deadline fixed by the High Court. Depending on the outcome, Phogat may choose to contest the decision or separately challenge the federation’s selection policy and subsequent notices in fresh proceedings.