Supreme Court Disposes of WFI Plea Against Vinesh Selection
The Supreme Court has dismissed the Wrestling Federation of India's appeal against allowing Vinesh Phogat to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, stating that the matter was now infructuous.
Highlights
- •Supreme Court dismisses WFI's challenge against Vinesh Phogat's participation
- •Phogat allowed to contest selection trials after Supreme Court intervention
- •High court observations on WFI's decisions deemed pending before single bench
- •Top court closes door on legal challenges, leaving issues open for future reconsideration
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) challenge against the Delhi High Court order allowing Vinesh Phogat to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Aravind Kumar stated that all issues were left open, indicating no reiteration of findings made by the high court.
Selection Trials Allowed
On May 29, the Supreme Court had granted Phogat permission to contest in selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. Despite allowing her participation, WFI contested the decision within the higher courts, arguing that such moves could undermine institutional integrity.
During proceedings, Senior Advocate DN Goburdhun argued on behalf of WFI that although Phogat was permitted to join trials, it was unclear whether she would succeed in these. However, the top court insisted this matter has become infructuous due to subsequent developments, effectively closing the door on legal challenges against her participation.
WFI had termed certain observations made by the high court 'malafide' regarding its own decisions but admitted that those matters were currently pending before a single bench. Despite these objections, no new findings were issued by the Supreme Court.
