The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide on the show-cause notices issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat within two weeks [Vinesh Phogat Vs Wrestling Federation of India & Ors].
Justice Amit Mahajan passed the order on a petition filed by Phogat challenging the show-cause notices issued to her in connection with the proposed disciplinary proceedings.
The Court observed that sportspersons need to be mentally relaxed to participate in sporting events.
“A Sportsperson has to be in a fit and relaxed state of mind to participate in any competitive event of such nature as indicated so that their performance is not compromised in any way," the Court said.
Phogat argued that the two notices issued to her on May 9 and June 17 were part of a continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action by WFI that has obstructed her return to competitive wrestling after maternity.
She added that WFI acted against her despite the International Testing Agency having cleared her to compete from January 1, 2026.
“The show cause notices and consequential proceedings constitute a continuing impediment consequential proceedings constitute a continuing impediment to the petitioner’s return to elite competition and have the to the petitioner’s return to elite competition and have the potential to prejudice her eligibility, nomination and potential to prejudice her eligibility, nomination and participation in forthcoming competitions,” Phogat stated in her plea.
Phogat submitted that she wishes to participate in a national tournament to be held in December but the notices are dangling on her like a hanging sword. She added that even though the show cause notices are currently not an impediment, she apprehends that a detrimental decision may be passed before future tournaments, affecting her participation.
The Court remarked that the predicament expressed by her appeared to be genuine. It thus issued notice to WFI and granted it two weeks to decide on the notices.
"If the decision is taken, after two weeks, the same shall be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing," the Court stated in order passed on October 29.
The next date of hearing is January 20, 2027.
Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao with advocates Aashita Khanna, Ritwik Prakash, Vishakha Gupta and Neil M Goswami represented Phogat.
Advocates Hemant Phalpher and Karishmit Keswarni appeared for WFI.
[Read Order]