The Delhi High Court on Friday wondered how wrestler Vinesh Phogat “was found to be ineligible to compete in the domestic wrestling arena” after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) took such decision, noting that the case called for a “fair and expert evaluation.
The Delhi court, during the hearing, has directed the Central government to form an expert committee to evaluate the fitness and eligibility of Phogat before the Asian Games selection trials. The court step is part of a longstanding feud between the decorated wrestler and the national wrestling federation regarding her return to competition.
It is to be noted that WFI had issued a show cause notice to Phogat earlier this month with a number of reasons for declaring her ineligible. They cited her weight-class violation at the 2024 Paris Olympics and alleged anti-doping violations related to whereabouts and her crossing over two weight classes in Olympic qualification trials.
The federation also noted that according to anti-doping rules, a retired athlete must adhere to a six-month “resting period” before they may compete again. WFI had said that after Phogat announced her comeback, she was yet to go through the necessary steps.
Originally, after her controversial disqualification from the Paris Olympics, Phogat retired from wrestling. She went on to bear a baby boy in July 2025, before announcing her return to the sport on 12th December 2025.
WFI has decided this, but Phogat competed in the National Open Ranking Tournament, in Gonda, and voiced her resentment against the federation’s decision. She has officially replied to the show-cause notice and is still contesting the decision, and is demanding to be able to compete and represent the country once more.