Delhi High Court Closes Vinesh Phogat's Petition Against WFI, Directs Decision On Show Cause Notice Within 2 Weeks

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma disposed of Phogat's petition after directing the federation to take a final decision on the notice and communicate the outcome to both the wrestler and the Court. "Within two weeks, you decide the show cause notice under intimation to this court and the petitioner," Justice Sharma directed.

The Court also clarified that Phogat would be at liberty to file a separate petition if she wishes to challenge the WFI's selection policy.

The federation subsequently issued a show cause notice on May 9, accusing Phogat of indiscipline, anti-doping rule violations and failing to comply with the mandatory six-month return-to-competition requirement prescribed under United World Wrestling regulations. The notice also referred to her disqualification at the Paris Olympics for being overweight and alleged "whereabouts failures" linked to anti-doping protocols.

Phogat denied the allegations, asserting that both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency had cleared her to compete from January 2026. She alleged that the federation's actions were arbitrary, politically motivated and aimed at forcing her retirement.

Earlier in the proceedings, a single judge had declined to grant interim relief. However, a Division Bench later permitted Phogat to participate in the Asian Games trials, observing that she had been excluded solely because she was on maternity leave and holding that motherhood cannot become a ground for marginalising female athletes.

The Division Bench had also criticised the WFI's show cause notice as "deplorable" and described the federation's conduct as vindictive. The Supreme Court subsequently declined to expunge those observations while hearing the WFI's challenge. The Court noted that the legality of the WFI policy and the show-cause notice is still pending consideration before the single judge. However, the Bench held that Phogat’s interests required interim protection. The Court stated,“Motherhood must be viewed as a natural and deeply significant aspect of life that deserves accommodation and institutional sensitivity.”

It further held, “In view of the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, it is clear that except for the appellant’s motherhood and the show cause notice issued by respondent no. 1, she would be entitled to participate in the selection trials. Therefore, the circumstances were beyond her control and while the legality of the policy, the circular and the outcome of the show cause notice is examined by the learned single-judge, it is deemed appropriate to protect the interest of the appellant by permitting her to participate in the selection trials.”

Following the Division Bench's order, Phogat participated in the Asian Games trials but did not qualify for the final squad.