The Supreme Court disposed of the WFI’s plea challenging Vinesh Phogat’s participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials and declined to remove observations made by the Delhi High Court against the federation.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat (PC: IANS)
The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) challenge against wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, ruling that the matter had become infructuous since the trials had already concluded.
A bench of justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar disposed of the petition while clarifying that its decision should not be construed as an endorsement of the observations made by the Delhi High Court against the WFI.
Advertisement
“In view of subsequent developments, this SLP is rendered infructuous. This Court will not be taken as having reiterated the findings and observations of the High Court. The issues are kept open,” the Justice Narasimha-led Bench said while disposing of the matter.
Advertisement
Also Read: Supreme Court allows Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games trials, refuses to stay Delhi HC order
During the hearing, senior advocate D.N. Goburdhun, appearing for the WFI, urged the apex court to expunge certain observations made by the Delhi High Court while granting interim relief to Phogat.
The senior counsel argued that the High Court had made adverse remarks against the federation, including observations suggesting mala fide intent on the part of the WFI, which could potentially influence proceedings still pending before a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court.
Goburdhun submitted that although Phogat had already been allowed to participate in the selection trials, the findings recorded in the High Court’s order, particularly from paragraph 31 onwards, should be deleted as the matter remained sub judice.
However, the Supreme Court declined to expunge the observations and instead closed the proceedings, making it clear that its order should not be interpreted as affirming the High Court’s findings.
The matter reached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court permitted Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials despite her not meeting the eligibility criteria under the WFI’s revised selection policy.
In an interim order passed last month, a bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia had allowed the wrestler to take part in the trials, observing that motherhood could not be treated as a ground for denying professional opportunities.
The Delhi High Court had prima facie observed that the WFI’s policy framework did not adequately account for Phogat’s maternity-related break and post-partum recovery period.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court, while hearing the WFI’s appeal, allowed Phogat to participate in the selection trials held on May 30 and 31. At the same time, the apex court had expressed reservations regarding some of the observations made by the Delhi High Court at the interim stage and had also flagged issues relating to the wrestler’s anti-doping obligations.
Also Read: Delhi High Court backs Vinesh Phogat, questions WFI over Asian Games selection trials exclusion
Despite securing permission to compete, Phogat’s bid to qualify for the 2026 Asian Games ended in disappointment.
Competing in the women’s 53kg category after the WFI revised its earlier decision restricting her to the 50kg division, the former world championship medallist lost 4-6 to Meenakshi Goyat in the semifinals of the selection trials held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Also Read: Vinesh’s Asian Games dream ends after shock defeat in trials; Antim makes cut
The defeat ended her hopes of securing a place at the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Advertisement
