Delhi HC slams WFI over Vinesh Phogat ban, says ‘motherhood should not become punishment’
Delhi High Court criticised WFI for declaring wrestler Vinesh Phogat ineligible after her maternity break and asked the Centre to help her participate in Asian Games trials
PTC Web Desk: The Delhi High Court on Friday strongly questioned the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for declaring star wrestler Vinesh Phogat ineligible to take part in domestic wrestling events. A Bench led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the federation should not treat motherhood as a disadvantage for any athlete.
The Delhi High Court also told the Centre to form an expert panel to assess Vinesh’s fitness and chances of returning to competition.
The court asked the government to make sure Vinesh gets a chance to participate in the upcoming Asian Games selection trials.
During the hearing, the judges said motherhood is respected and celebrated in India and should not become a reason to stop an athlete from competing. The Bench also remarked that the federation should not behave with “vengeance”.
Vinesh Phogat had approached the High Court after a single-judge Bench earlier refused to give her immediate relief regarding participation in the selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31.
Her lawyer argued that the WFI was trying to keep her out unfairly. He pointed to a show-cause notice sent to her on May 9, just before she participated in a domestic tournament in Gonda.
The court also criticised the language used in the notice, especially the statement calling her Paris Olympics disqualification a “national shame”.
The judges questioned why the federation changed its earlier practice of allowing reputed athletes to return after breaks. The court said the change in rules raised serious questions.
Vinesh became a mother in July 2025 and is now trying to return to wrestling after her maternity break.
The WFI had declared her ineligible till June 26, 2026. The federation said wrestlers returning after retirement must follow a mandatory six-month notice period under anti-doping rules.
Despite the restriction, Vinesh still took part in the National Open Ranking Tournament held in Gonda.
Vinesh Phogat was also one of the leading wrestlers who protested in 2023 against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.
In the Paris Olympics 2024, Vinesh was disqualified from the women’s 50kg final after she was found 100 gram overweight during the morning weigh-in.