Delhi High Court Allows Vinesh Phogat To Participate In Asian Games 2026 Selection Trials

The Delhi High Court has allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials scheduled from May 30, holding that motherhood and maternity-related circumstances cannot be used to exclude female athletes from competition.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia delivered the verdict on May 22 while hearing Phogat’s appeal against a single-judge order refusing interim relief.

“It cannot be denied that the journey of a female athlete through pregnancy and the post-partum period is one that is marked by extraordinary physical challenges, the magnitude of which is often insufficiently acknowledged within institutional sporting frameworks. We cannot remain oblivious to the physiological realities and disadvantages related to child birth that female athletes undergo during maternity”, the Court observed.

The Bench also strongly criticised the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for issuing what it termed a “deplorable” show-cause notice to Phogat and held that the Federation’s conduct appeared vindictive and mala fide.

The WFI had referred to Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics for being overweight as a “national shame” and “national embarrassment.”

Taking exception to these remarks, the Court said, “Such observations made in the SCN despite the award issued by CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport], which clearly held that there was no wrongdoing on part of the appellant, appear to be pre-mediated and are ex-facie misconceived and ought to have been avoided. Such observations are retrograde and show the mala fide intent of respondent No. 1 [WFI] by being vindictive against the appellant.”

During the hearing, the Division Bench also sought clarification regarding the steps taken by the sports authorities in relation to the show-cause notice issued to Phogat. The Court expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the notice and the manner in which the selection policy was being implemented.

Phogat had challenged the WFI’s selection policy after she was declared ineligible to participate in the Asian Games trials. The eligibility criteria restricted participation to medal winners from certain competitions held in 2025 and 2026.

Phogat did not compete in those events as she had announced retirement after the 2024 Olympics and returned to wrestling only in December 2025 following maternity leave.

The WFI subsequently issued a show-cause notice alleging indiscipline, anti-doping violations, and non-compliance with mandatory return-to-competition procedures under United World Wrestling regulations. It also referred to alleged “whereabouts failures” linked to anti-doping requirements.

Phogat denied the allegations and maintained that both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency had cleared her to compete from January 2026 onward.

She alleged that the Federation was attempting to force her retirement.

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.”

The Bench directed that the selection trials would be video-recorded by the WFI. It also ordered the Central government to nominate two independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to oversee the process and submit reports before the single judge hearing the matter further in July.

Case Title: Vinesh Phogat v. Wrestling Federation of India & Ors.

Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia

Date of Judgement: 22-05-2026