A Delhi High Court division bench has allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.
The court observed that the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) selection criteria, which only considers wrestlers who won medals in 2025, are exclusionary and leave no discretion for the federation to consider accomplished athletes like Phogat.
The court noted that Phogat's exclusion from the selection trials was directly linked to her sabbatical and the temporary eligibility requirements, which coincided with her maternity period and subsequent recovery.
The court also termed WFI's show cause notice barring Phogat from domestic events as 'pre-mediated' and sought to reopen settled issues.
The bench directed WFI to videotape the trials and asked the Centre to appoint two independent observers from the Sports Authority of India and Indian Olympic Association for it.
