Ensure Vinesh Phogat's participation in trials, Delhi HC raps WFI

The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) decision to declare wrestler Vinesh Phogat ineligible to participate in domestic competitions. The Court asked the Centre to explore measures to facilitate her participation in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.  
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the federation’s departure from its earlier selection framework required closer scrutiny, particularly in light of the wrestler’s maternity break and return to competition. The Court was hearing Phogat’s appeal against a single-judge order refusing interim relief.  The CJ Upadhyaya-led Bench orally remarked that motherhood could not become a disadvantage for an athlete seeking to resume her sporting career and observed that Phogat was an internationally accomplished wrestler. 
The Delhi High Court also expressed its reservations over portions of the WFI’s show-cause notice, which referred to Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 final after failing to make weight. It observed that the incident could not be viewed in isolation without considering the larger circumstances and questioned whether the federation’s approach advanced the interests of Indian wrestling. 
During the hearing, the bench asked the Centre what steps had been taken after the issuance of the notice and whether the Union Sports Ministry had examined the WFI’s revised selection policy. 
After hearing the submissions, the Delhi High Court asked the Centre and the WFI to obtain instructions and take steps towards enabling Phogat’s participation, including by constituting an expert panel to assess her eligibility.