Vinesh Phogat received relief from the Supreme Court of India on Friday after the court allowed her to take part in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled to begin on Saturday, while also questioning parts of a recent order passed by the Delhi High Court regarding the Wrestling Federation of India’s selection policy.
A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said the court was stepping in primarily because of Phogat’s stature and achievements for the country, though it expressed concerns over how the high court had interfered with the federation’s policy framework.
The high court had earlier ruled that the Wrestling Federation of India selection policy for the Asian Games unfairly ignored the past achievements of established wrestlers by restricting eligibility only to athletes who won medals during the 2025 season. According to the high court, the policy left no room for the federation to consider accomplished wrestlers such as Phogat, who had taken a break from competition due to maternity leave.
The court had observed that the timing of her maternity break and recovery period directly affected her ability to compete in the qualifying tournaments required under the new eligibility rules. It also noted that the federation’s approach marked a departure from earlier years when previous performances of top athletes were considered during selections.
However, while hearing the federation’s appeal, the Supreme Court remarked that constitutional courts must exercise caution while intervening in matters involving national and international sports. The bench said such interference could create complications for sports bodies and even affect participation in international events, citing similar concerns seen in football administration disputes.
Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for Phogat along with advocates Ritwik Prakash and Ashita Khanna, argued that the federation had changed its long-standing approach this year by refusing to consider the past accomplishments of elite wrestlers. She said Phogat was not asking for any special exemption but only seeking the opportunity to compete in the trials.
The Supreme Court then issued notice on the federation’s appeal and allowed Phogat to participate in the selection trials until the matter is heard again next week.
During the proceedings, Divan told the court that Phogat had faced hostility from authorities and argued that preventing her from even appearing in the trials would itself be unfair. She also pointed to a relaxation clause that had allegedly been available in previous years but was denied in this case despite the federation being aware of her medical condition and absence from competition.
The bench, however, also flagged concerns regarding anti-doping compliance, noting that Phogat had reportedly missed a scheduled dope test earlier this year. The judges stressed that athletes representing India must prioritise international sporting regulations and warned that any violation or disqualification at the global level would ultimately reflect poorly on the country.
Appearing for the federation, senior advocate DN Goburdhan argued that the high court’s intervention had exceeded its limits and failed to consider the wider impact on the sport and selection process. He said the federation had already submitted names to Asian Games organisers by May 14 and had not granted exemptions to any athlete this year.
The Supreme Court concluded by observing that disputes of this nature cannot always be resolved through court intervention alone and stressed the need for stronger sports institutions and better support systems for athletes.
