The Delhi High Court on Monday, 18 May declined to grant immediate interim relief to three-time Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had moved court seeking permission to participate in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for 30–31 May. The court's refusal effectively leaves Phogat's exclusion by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) intact for now, with the next hearing listed for 6 July — well after the trials conclude.

What Phogat Sought in Court

Phogat had approached the Delhi High Court challenging her exclusion from the Asian Games selection trials, seeking directions to allow her participation pending adjudication of her plea against the WFI's revised eligibility criteria. Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for the wrestler, argued before a single-judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav that 'there was something more than meets the eye' in the matter, urging the court to permit her participation subject to the final outcome of the case.

Why the Court Declined to Intervene

Justice Kaurav declined to pass any interim order without first hearing the WFI's position. In an oral remark that underscored the court's caution, the judge observed: 'Unnecessarily, there is no point in allowing you to participate and then telling you that it was a nullity.' The court said it would take up the matter after the summer vacation, listing it for 6 July.

The bench also permitted Phogat to file a comprehensive reply to the show-cause notice issued by the WFI, and directed the federation to carry disciplinary proceedings to their logical conclusion before the next date of hearing. Any decision taken by the WFI in the interim must be placed on record before the court.

WFI's Case Against Phogat

The WFI declared Phogat ineligible to participate in any sanctioned competitions until 26 June, citing what it described as 'grave acts of indiscipline' and alleged violations of anti-doping rules and international wrestling regulations. In a 15-page show-cause notice issued earlier this month, the federation directed the three-time Olympian to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated, referencing incidents spanning the Paris 2024 Olympics to recent anti-doping failures.

Separately, the WFI introduced revised eligibility criteria for the Asian Games trials, restricting entry to medal winners from specified national-level tournaments held during 2025 and 2026. The criteria effectively shut out Phogat, who has not competed in professional events since the Paris Olympics 2024.

What Happens Next

With the trials set for 30–31 May and the next court date on 6 July, Phogat's window to compete in the current selection cycle has, for practical purposes, closed. The case will now hinge on whether the WFI's disciplinary process and eligibility criteria withstand judicial scrutiny — and whether any relief granted in July can have retrospective effect on her competitive standing. This comes amid a broader, long-running dispute between Phogat and the WFI that has shadowed Indian wrestling since the lead-up to the Paris Games.