WFI challenges Delhi HC relief to Vinesh Phogat in Supreme Court
New Delhi, May 28
The Wrestling Federation of India has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's order permitting wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials.
As per details available on the apex court's official website, the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the WFI is scheduled to come up for hearing before a bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe.
The SLP challenges the judgment delivered by the Delhi High Court allowing Phogat, a three-time Olympian, to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026 despite not fulfilling the eligibility criteria under the WFI's policy.
In its order passed last week, the Delhi High Court had held that motherhood cannot be treated as a "disability" or a ground for exclusion from professional opportunities, and directed the WFI to permit Phogat to compete in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia had observed that the selection policy failed to account for Phogat's maternity-related sabbatical and post-partum recovery, which coincided with the qualifying tournaments prescribed under the eligibility criteria.
"Motherhood must be viewed as a natural and deeply significant aspect of life that deserves accommodation and institutional sensitivity," the Delhi High Court had said, while finding a prima facie case in favour of the wrestler.
It had also directed that the selection trials be video-recorded and conducted under the supervision of independent observers nominated by the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association.
It had further clarified that Phogat's participation would remain subject to the outcome of the pending writ petition before the single-judge Bench examining the validity of the WFI's selection policy, circular, and show-cause notice.
The Delhi High Court had also taken strong exception to the language used in the WFI's show-cause notice, terming certain remarks against Phogat as "deplorable" and indicative of a "vindictive" approach.
Meanwhile, a caveat has been filed on behalf of Phogat through advocate Aman Varma, seeking to ensure that no ex parte order is passed without hearing her side in the matter.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, a court that understands! "Motherhood must be viewed as a natural and deeply significant aspect of life that deserves accommodation" - beautiful words. WFI needs to understand that women athletes are not machines. They have lives, they have families. Vinesh is a champion and deserves respect, not a vindictive show-cause notice. Kadak fataak!
While I support Vinesh, we should be fair. Every federation has eligibility criteria - if they made an exception for her, others might also demand the same. But the way WFI handled this is appalling. Show-cause notice with "deplorable" language? Totally unprofessional. They could have just amended the policy instead of dragging her to court. Now it's become a big mess. 😕
As a former athlete, this hits close to home. The double standard is clear - male cricketers take paternity leave and nobody bats an eye. But a woman wants to come back after maternity and suddenly there's a "policy" issue? WFI should focus on developing wrestling instead of creating hurdles for their own athletes. Judges are absolutely right here. ✨
WFI's SLP is a complete waste of taxpayer money and court time. Delhi High Court's judgment is progressive and sensible - why can't they accept it? The court even arranged independent observers for trials so there's no bias. Itna kyun jal rahe ho? Vinesh has given India so many medals. Let her wrestle, yaar!
Respectfully, I disagree with the
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