The Supreme Court dismissed the Wrestling Federation of India’s plea challenging a Delhi High Court decision allowing wrestler Vinesh Phogat to join the Asian Games 2026 selection trials. The court noted that the trials in question had already concluded, rendering the plea irrelevant. The Supreme Court emphasized that its decision did not signify agreement with the Delhi High Court’s remarks against the WFI.
The WFI had requested the Supreme Court to remove certain adverse comments made by the High Court while granting interim relief to Phogat. The federation argued that these remarks could bias the ongoing proceedings before a single-judge Bench of the High Court. Despite this plea, the Supreme Court declined to expunge the comments and closed the case, clarifying that it did not endorse the High Court’s observations.
The dispute arose when the Delhi High Court allowed Phogat to participate in the selection trials despite not meeting the WFI’s revised eligibility criteria. The High Court, in an interim order, highlighted the need to consider Phogat’s maternity-related break and recovery period in the WFI’s selection policy. Although the Supreme Court allowed Phogat to compete in the trials, she failed to qualify for the Asian Games 2026 after losing in the semifinals.
