WFI Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi HC Order Allowing Vinesh Phogat in Asian Games Trials

New Delhi, May 28: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order that allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, escalating a significant legal and sporting dispute.

According to details listed on the Supreme Court’s official website, the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the WFI is scheduled to be heard by a bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe.

The federation has contested the Delhi High Court’s judgment that permitted Phogat, a three-time Olympian, to compete in the upcoming selection trials despite not meeting the eligibility requirements laid down in the WFI’s selection policy.

Last week, the Delhi High Court had ruled in favour of Phogat, allowing her to take part in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. The court observed that motherhood cannot be treated as a “disability” or a valid ground to deny an athlete opportunities in professional sport.

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia noted that the existing selection policy did not take into account Phogat’s maternity-related break and post-partum recovery period, which coincided with the qualifying tournaments required under the eligibility framework.

The court had emphasised that motherhood must be viewed with sensitivity and accommodation in institutional decision-making. “Motherhood must be viewed as a natural and deeply significant aspect of life that deserves accommodation and institutional sensitivity,” the High Court had observed while granting interim relief to the wrestler.

To ensure transparency in the process, the High Court directed that the selection trials be video-recorded and conducted under the supervision of independent observers appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The court also clarified that Phogat’s participation in the trials would remain subject to the final outcome of a pending writ petition before the single-judge bench, which is examining the validity of the WFI’s selection policy, circulars, and related notices.

In addition, the High Court had strongly criticised the tone and content of the show-cause notice issued by the WFI to Phogat, describing certain remarks as “deplorable” and reflective of a “vindictive” approach towards the athlete.

The dispute has now reached the Supreme Court, where the WFI seeks to overturn the High Court’s interim order and enforce its eligibility criteria for selection trials ahead of the Asian Games 2026.

Meanwhile, a caveat has been filed on behalf of Vinesh Phogat through her counsel, advocate Aman Varma, requesting that no ex parte order be passed without hearing her side in the matter.

The case is expected to draw significant attention given its implications for sports governance, athlete rights, and the interpretation of selection policies in relation to maternity and professional sporting careers.