The prolonged standoff between wrestler Vinesh Phogat and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has entered a crucial phase, with the federation confirming that it has received the Olympian’s response to a show-cause notice and will now proceed with adjudication under its established rules and procedures.
The development comes shortly after the Supreme Court disposed of a petition filed by the WFI challenging a Delhi High Court order that had allowed Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. With the trials completed and the wrestler having already competed, the apex court ruled that the federation’s plea had become “infructuous”, effectively bringing one chapter of the dispute to a close while leaving several underlying issues unresolved.
In an official statement released on Thursday, WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh confirmed that the federation had received the wrestler’s explanation regarding allegations levelled against her earlier this year.
“WFI has received the Respondent’s (Vinesh’s) reply to the Show Cause Notice, which shall be adjudicated in accordance with WFI’s rules and procedures,” WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh said in the statement.
The controversy stems from a show-cause notice issued by the federation on May 9, accusing the decorated wrestler of indiscipline and violations linked to anti-doping regulations. The notice also formed the basis of WFI’s decision to declare her ineligible for domestic competitions until June 26, citing a mandatory six-month notice period applicable to athletes returning from retirement under anti-doping rules.
The federation further indicated that it was examining incidents that occurred during the recently concluded selection trials. “WFI further notes that the conduct of certain wrestlers at the Selection Trials is under consideration and a decision in that regard is yet to be taken,” he said.
While the statement did not specifically mention Phogat, the remarks were widely interpreted as referring to her conduct during the selection process.
The legal tussle between Phogat and the WFI intensified in May after the federation’s selection policy prevented her automatic entry into the Asian Games trials. Phogat, who recently returned to competitive wrestling after a maternity break, approached the Delhi High Court challenging both the selection policy and the disciplinary action initiated against her.
On May 22, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court permitted her participation in the Asian Games selection trials, observing that the WFI’s policy was exclusionary because it failed to adequately account for elite athletes returning after maternity leave. The court emphasized that motherhood should not become a disadvantage for female athletes pursuing professional careers. The WFI challenged that ruling before the Supreme Court. However, on May 29, the apex court allowed Phogat to participate in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31 while keeping broader legal questions open.
Ultimately, Phogat’s bid to secure a place in India’s Asian Games squad ended on the mat. Competing in the women’s 53kg category, she suffered a semifinal defeat to Meenakshi Goyat, ending her hopes of representing India at the continental event.
When the matter returned to the Supreme Court this week, the judges observed that the federation’s challenge no longer survived because the wrestler had already participated in the trials. The court declined to interfere with the Delhi High Court’s observations against the federation but clarified that its order should not be interpreted as an endorsement of those findings. All legal issues, the bench noted, remain open for future consideration.
Amid the continuing controversy, the WFI sought to reiterate its commitment to transparency and meritocracy in team selection. “WFI wishes to make it unequivocally clear that all future selections shall be strictly merit-based, without exception or exemption to any wrestler, regardless of stature or past achievements. There shall be no shortcuts to national selection,” it said.
The federation’s final decision on the show-cause notice is now expected to be closely watched, as it could determine the next phase of one of Indian wrestling’s most high-profile disputes. For Phogat, a multiple-time World Championships medallist and one of India’s most recognisable athletes, the outcome may significantly influence her future in competitive wrestling and her relationship with the sport’s governing body.
