The Delhi High Court has instructed the Wrestling Federation of India to make a decision within two weeks regarding the show-cause notice served to wrestler Vinesh Phogat. This directive came as the court closed Phogat’s petition challenging her exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 selection trials. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the petition had become irrelevant since Phogat had already been allowed to participate in the trials following previous court orders.
Disposing of the petition, the court directed the WFI to address the show-cause notice issued to Phogat on May 9 within the stipulated two-week period. The federation assured the court that Phogat would receive a personal hearing before any final decision is made in the disciplinary proceedings. During the hearing, Phogat’s counsel raised concerns about the WFI’s selection policy, but the court suggested that such issues would need a separate challenge, allowing Phogat to file a fresh writ petition if desired.
Justice Sharma’s order stated that since Phogat had already taken part in the selection trials, her challenge against the denial of participation was no longer relevant for consideration. The initial dispute arose when Phogat was denied interim permission to participate in the Asian Games trials without the WFI’s prior hearing. The court directed the federation to conclude the disciplinary proceedings against Phogat and present its decision before the next hearing date.
