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Delhi High Court Seeks WFI Stand on Phogat’s Notices
Vinesh Phogat has asked the Delhi High Court to cancel two notices from the Wrestling Federation of India.
She says the notices could make it harder for her to return to wrestling after having a baby.
One notice involves anti-doping rules and her participation in two weight categories.
The other concerns what happened during selection trials.
Phogat says the rules were unclear and were not applied fairly.
She also questions whether the federation properly created its disciplinary committee.
The court has asked WFI to explain its position, but it has not formally issued notice in that case yet.
In a separate case, the court is considering whether sports bodies should create better rules for athletes returning after maternity.
That case will be heard in November, while the notices case will next be heard on September 29.
The Delhi High Court sought the Wrestling Federation of India’s response to Vinesh Phogat’s challenge to two show-cause notices and related disciplinary proceedings.
The notices, dated May 9 and June 17, concern alleged anti-doping and selection-trial issues, including Phogat’s conduct during the May 30 trials.
Phogat says the first notice relies on superseded rules, cites a nonexistent “Rule 56,” and concerns participation in two weight categories approved by the WFI Ad-Hoc Committee.
She alleges the second notice is vague, disciplinary standards were selectively applied, and the WFI Disciplinary Committee’s constitution was not properly documented.
In a separate petition, the court issued notice on Phogat’s request for a maternity-friendly framework for women athletes returning after pregnancy and childbirth.
- Who
- Olympian Vinesh Phogat, the Wrestling Federation of India, the Delhi High Court, the Union Government and the Indian Olympic Association.
- What
- Phogat is challenging two show-cause notices and related disciplinary proceedings, while separately seeking a structured framework for athletes returning after pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum recovery.
- Where
- The cases are before the Delhi High Court. The disputed additional qualifying event was held in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The matters were heard on Tuesday; the notices challenge is listed for September 29, and the maternity-framework petition is listed for November. The notices are dated May 9 and June 17.
- Why
- Phogat alleges that the notices and eligibility framework are legally flawed, discriminatory and harmful to her return to competition after maternity.
Phogat’s allegations
WFI’s stated procedural position
Validity of disciplinary notices
Phogat’s allegations
Phogat argues that the notices are arbitrary, discriminatory and legally unsustainable, and seeks their cancellation along with all related proceedings.
WFI’s stated procedural position
The articles do not report WFI’s substantive response; the court asked its counsel to obtain instructions.
Selection and disciplinary standards
Phogat’s allegations
Phogat says WFI changed its selection framework, issued a vague second notice after she objected to the May 30 trials, and applied disciplinary standards selectively.
WFI’s stated procedural position
No detailed WFI position on the framework, the May 30 events or the alleged selective enforcement is reported.
Return after maternity
Phogat’s allegations
Phogat seeks a fair and structured framework so athletes returning after pregnancy and childbirth are not disadvantaged for missing competitions during maternity and recovery.
WFI’s stated procedural position
The court issued notice to WFI, the Union Government and the Indian Olympic Association on this separate petition; their responses are not provided.
Key facts
- First show-cause notice
- Dated May 9; concerns alleged anti-doping and selection-trial issues, including participation in two weight categories during March 2024 trials.
- Second show-cause notice
- Dated June 17; concerns Phogat’s conduct during the May 30 selection trials.
- Eligibility communication
- The International Testing Agency said in a July 3, 2025 communication that Phogat would be eligible to compete from January 1, 2026.
- Court’s action
- Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma asked WFI counsel to obtain instructions and said the court was not issuing a formal notice at this stage.
- Next hearing
- The challenge to the notices will next be heard on September 29.
- Maternity-framework petition
- The court issued notice to WFI, the Union Government and the Indian Olympic Association; the matter is listed for November.
Sources
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