Delhi high court closes Vinesh Phogat petition as infructuous
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday disposed of wrestler and three-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat’s petition challenging her initial exclusion from selection trials for the Asian Games, observing that the matter had become “infructuous”, even as it directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide her pending show-cause notice within two weeks.According to news agency PTI, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma closed the proceedings after noting that Phogat had already been permitted to take part in the trials pursuant to earlier judicial orders, making her immediate grievance regarding participation no longer relevant. However, the court directed that the WFI must take a decision on the show-cause notice dated May 9 within two weeks and inform both the athlete and the court of the outcome.The federation also assured the court that Phogat would be given a personal hearing before any final decision.While Phogat’s counsel argued that her petition raised broader concerns over the federation’s selection policy, the court said those issues would require a fresh petition. “This can be disposed of and then you can file a fresh writ petition,” the court observed.The high court also noted that since Phogat had already competed in the trials, the specific challenge to her exclusion had effectively become infructuous. Phogat had challenged the WFI’s selection policy and circular that restricted eligibility for Asian Games trials only to medal winners of certain domestic events. She had argued that the rules were discriminatory, particularly in view of her maternity-related break and recovery period.Her participation in the trials followed a prolonged legal battle with WFI over selection criteria, with the Supreme Court also intervening earlier to grant interim relief allowing her to compete, while cautioning against excessive judicial interference in sports administration.Following the court’s intervention, Phogat participated in the trials held in May and was placed in the 53 kg category after weighing 53.9 kg. However, her campaign ended after she lost to Meenakshi in the semifinals.
WFI show-cause notice to be decided in two weeks
The WFI had issued a show-cause notice to Phogat on May 9, raising issues including alleged indiscipline, anti-doping whereabouts failures, and concerns over her participation across multiple weight categories.The federation also cited mandatory compliance requirements linked to athletes returning from retirement, including a six-month notice period under anti-doping rules, and had declared her ineligible for domestic events till June 26, 2026.The court was informed that she would be given a hearing before any decision is taken, and that she has also received a fresh show-cause notice relating to her conduct during the trials.The high court’s order effectively closes the immediate litigation over her trial participation but keeps the disciplinary proceedings against her pending before the federation.
