Delhi High Court to Examine WFI Selection Policy on Vinesh Phogat's Wrestling Comeback Plea

The Delhi High Court on Monday said it would examine the selection policy of the Wrestling Federation of India before passing any order on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s plea seeking an opportunity to return to competitive wrestling. The development comes amid an ongoing dispute between the former World Championships medalist and the national federation regarding her eligibility to participate in selection events after her announced comeback earlier this year.

The matter was heard days after Vinesh approached the High Court on May 14, challenging her exclusion from the national wrestling selection process. The wrestler had recently traveled to Gonda in Uttar Pradesh to participate in the National Open Ranking tournament, which was expected to mark her return to the sport. However, federation officials reportedly informed her that she would first need to respond to a pending show-cause notice issued by the WFI before being permitted to compete.

During the hearing, the court reportedly directed Vinesh to submit her response to the show-cause notice while also indicating that it would study the federation’s trial and eligibility regulations before arriving at any conclusion. Sources familiar with the proceedings stated that the court intends to closely examine whether the WFI’s rules and procedures were properly applied in the wrestler’s case before deciding if she should be allowed to participate in upcoming selection events.

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The dispute has added another layer to the prolonged tensions between Vinesh and the wrestling federation, which intensified following the controversies surrounding Indian wrestling administration over the past few years. Vinesh, who had announced her retirement after the Paris Olympics disappointment before later expressing her intention to return, has maintained that she remains eligible to compete under rules laid down by the International Testing Agency (ITA). The WFI, however, has argued that she cannot be considered for selection until she formally addresses the allegations mentioned in the show-cause notice.

According to federation officials, the notice accuses the wrestler of violating provisions of the WFI constitution as well as rules associated with United World Wrestling. Meanwhile, the controversy has also reportedly divided opinion within the wrestling community. A separate group of women wrestlers is understood to have approached the court arguing that Vinesh should not receive any special pathway back into the national setup and must undergo the same qualification procedures as all other competitors.

At the same time, several prominent wrestlers have publicly backed Vinesh’s demand for a fair opportunity to compete again. Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have voiced support for her comeback attempt, while sections of the wrestling establishment continue to support the federation’s position. The court’s eventual ruling is expected to have a significant impact on future selection policies and could influence preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the next Asian Games cycle.

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