Delhi High Court: WFI Must Decide on Phogat Show-Cause in Two Weeks

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat over allegations of indiscipline and anti-doping rule violations.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma closed the proceedings on Phogat's petition challenging the notice and the WFI's selection policy after the federation's counsel informed that her grievance regarding participation in the Asian Games selection trials had become infructuous. The court ordered: 'Within two weeks, decide the show-cause notice dated May 9 under intimation to the petitioner and the court.'

The WFI counsel assured the court that Phogat would be given a personal hearing before a decision is reached. Although Phogat's senior counsel argued that the petition raised 'larger issues' about the selection policy, the court said the athlete would need to file a fresh petition. 'This can be disposed of and then you can file a fresh writ petition,' the judge stated.

The court was informed that, pursuant to earlier judicial orders, Phogat had been allowed to participate in the Asian Games trials. However, her senior counsel noted she had since received a fresh show-cause notice related to her conduct during those trials.

On May 9, the WFI had issued the initial show-cause notice to Phogat and declared her ineligible for domestic events until June 26, citing the mandatory six-month notice period for athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.

In her petition, Phogat challenged the WFI's selection policy and circular that restricted Asian Games trial eligibility to medal winners of specific tournaments. She argued that the 'qualification window' selected by WFI substantially overlapped with her notified sabbatical due to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, creating a 'closed and inflexible gatekeeping mechanism' that was manifestly arbitrary and discriminatory.