Wrestling Federation Moves Supreme Court Against Delhi HC Order Allowing Vinesh Phogat To Participate In Asian Games Selection Trials

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order permitting wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026.

A Bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe will consider the matter tomorrow.

On May 22, the Delhi High Court directed that Phogat be allowed to take part in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.

In doing so, the High Court observed that the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection policy was "clearly exclusionary in nature" as it does not give any discretion to WFI to consider iconic players like Phogat in view of the sabbatical taken on account of her maternity leave, as a woman cannot be prejudiced for taking maternity leave.

It further observed that Phogat's exclusion from the Selection Trials is directly attributable to the sabbatical and temporary retirement from her sporting activities on account of her maternity leave, and the law must ensure that motherhood does not become a ground for exclusion or marginalisation of female athletes such as Phogat.

The High Court also ordered that the trials be video recorded and conducted under the supervision of independent observers appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to ensure transparency in the selection process.

The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia while hearing an appeal filed by Phogat against an interim order passed by a single judge Bench.

The single judge had refused to grant interim relief in Phogat's pending writ petition challenging the WFI's selection policy as well as a show-cause notice issued against her.

Phogat had approached the High Court contending that she should be permitted to participate in the selection process for the upcoming international event. The Division Bench, while granting interim relief, put in place safeguards including video recording and independent oversight of the trials.

Case: Wrestling Federation of India v. Vinesh Phogat | SLP (c) 19503/2026