The Supreme Court has declined to expunge the adverse observations made by the Delhi High Court against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in proceedings relating to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over her participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials.
Noting that Phogat had already participated in the selection trials pursuant to an earlier order passed by the Supreme Court on May 29, the purpose of the litigation had effectively been exhausted.
The High Court had also directed that the selection trials, scheduled for May 30–31, be video-recorded by the Wrestling Federation of India.
We cannot remain oblivious to the physiological realities and disadvantages related to child birth that female athletes undergo during maternity”, the High Court had observed.
The WFI had referred to Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics for being overweight as a “national shame” and “national embarrassment.”Case Title: Wrestling Federation of India v. Vinesh Phogat & Ors.
The Supreme Court has declined to expunge the adverse observations made by the Delhi High Court against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) in proceedings relating to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over her participation in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials.
A Bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Aravind Kumar said the challenge had become infructuous in light of subsequent developments, while clarifying that its order should not be construed as an endorsement of the findings recorded by the High Court.
Noting that Phogat had already participated in the selection trials pursuant to an earlier order passed by the Supreme Court on May 29, the purpose of the litigation had effectively been exhausted. The bench accordingly disposed of the Special Leave Petition filed by the WFI.
On May 29, Court had permitted wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the upcoming Asian Games while hearing a dispute concerning eligibility criteria, doping-related compliance, and the selection policy framework governing national representation. Justice Narasimha had observed that the matter raised “two disturbing aspects,” noting that records indicated a missed doping test which, according to him, amounted to a serious lapse requiring explanation. “It is recorded that you missed a doping test. That is a serious lapse. We need an explanation, Madhavi,” the Court noted.
Notably, Delhi High Court’s division bench, in its May 22 order, had allowed Phogat’s participation in the selection trials, observing that the WFI’s selection policy appeared exclusionary as it did not provide sufficient discretion to consider an “iconic player” returning after a maternity break. The High Court had also directed that the selection trials, scheduled for May 30–31, be video-recorded by the Wrestling Federation of India.
It had further ordered the presence of independent observers from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to ensure transparency in the selection process. “It cannot be denied that the journey of a female athlete through pregnancy and the post-partum period is one that is marked by extraordinary physical challenges, the magnitude of which is often insufficiently acknowledged within institutional sporting frameworks. We cannot remain oblivious to the physiological realities and disadvantages related to child birth that female athletes undergo during maternity”, the High Court had observed.
The Bench also had strongly criticised the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for issuing what it termed a “deplorable” show-cause notice to Phogat and held that the Federation’s conduct appeared vindictive and mala fide. The WFI had referred to Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics for being overweight as a “national shame” and “national embarrassment.”
Case Title: Wrestling Federation of India v. Vinesh Phogat & Ors.
Bench: Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
Hearing Date: June 4, 2026
