The Delhi High Court on Friday, 22 May questioned the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)'s decision to declare Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat ineligible for domestic competitions, and directed both the WFI and the Centre to take concrete steps to facilitate her participation in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for 30–31 May.

What the Court Said

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard Phogat's appeal against a single-judge order that had refused her interim relief. The bench orally remarked that motherhood could not become a disadvantage for an athlete seeking to resume her sporting career, and noted that Phogat was an internationally accomplished wrestler whose absence from the mat was on account of maternity and post-partum recovery.

The court also expressed reservations over portions of the WFI's show-cause notice, which cited Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 final after she failed to make weight. The bench observed that the incident could not be viewed in isolation without considering the broader circumstances, and questioned whether the federation's approach served the interests of Indian wrestling.

The Eligibility Dispute

Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for Phogat, submitted that she had regained eligibility earlier this year and completed registration formalities before being barred at the last moment. He argued that the WFI's revised eligibility criteria — restricting Asian Games trial entry to medal winners from select national tournaments held during 2025 and 2026 — effectively excluded Phogat, who had not competed professionally since the Paris Olympics 2024 due to her maternity break.

In a 15-page show-cause notice issued earlier this month, the WFI had directed the three-time Olympian to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against her, citing incidents ranging from the Paris 2024 Games to recent anti-doping failures. Phogat has challenged both the revised eligibility criteria and the disciplinary proceedings.

Centre's Position

Counsel for the Union government told the court that the Centre had not independently barred Phogat from the trials. The government indicated that relaxation provisions available under the Sports Authority of India (SAI) framework could be considered in appropriate cases. It also expressed willingness to appoint an SAI observer to monitor the trials and ensure the process was video-recorded.

The bench asked the Centre whether the Union Sports Ministry had independently examined the WFI's revised selection policy, and directed both the Centre and the WFI to obtain instructions and take steps toward enabling Phogat's participation — including by constituting an expert panel to assess her eligibility.

Background and Earlier Order

The division bench's intervention came days after Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav declined to grant Phogat interim relief on her plea, observing that no direction could be passed without hearing the WFI and listing the matter for 6 July. That single-judge order prompted Phogat to appeal before the division bench, resulting in Friday's sharper judicial pushback against the federation.

This is not the first time the WFI has faced court scrutiny over its governance — the federation has been under a court-appointed ad hoc committee since late 2023 following protests by elite wrestlers. The Phogat case adds a fresh dimension by raising questions about whether eligibility frameworks can be revised mid-cycle in ways that disproportionately penalise athletes on medically recognised breaks. How the Centre and the WFI respond to the court's directions in the coming days will determine whether Phogat competes in the 30–31 May trials.