The ongoing controversy surrounding Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s return to competitive wrestling deepened on Thursday, as the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) approached the Supreme Court (SC) against the Delhi High Court’s (HC) verdict, permitting her to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. 

As per reports, the matter is expected to be heard before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Arandhe on Friday. 

Delhi HC slammed WFI’s stance

The legal battle is focused on the Delhi HC’s recent order directing the wrestling body to allow Phogat to compete in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30 and 31, 2026. During the hearing, the HC had criticised the WFI’s stance, noting that its actions appeared exclusionary and failed to account for the circumstances surrounding Phogat’s temporary break from the sport. 

The dispute began when Phogat decided to rescind her retirement decision and make a comeback to professional wrestling this year. The decorated wrestler had attempted to participate in a ranking event held in UP’s Gonda earlier this month. However, the WFI denied her entry, citing alleged breach of the anti-doping norms. 

The federation maintained that athletes returning after a prolonged break are required to serve a mandatory six-month notice period, as outlined under the international anti-doping norms. 

Phogat, however, challenged the decision and said she had received a green signal from the International Testing Agency (ITA), which, as per her claims, permitted her to resume participation from January 1, 2026. The disagreement eventually reached the Delhi HC, where Phogat sought relief against WFI’s decision. 

What did Delhi HC say in its order?

In its observations, the Delhi HC questioned the rigidity of WFI’s approach and called the need for flexibility in exceptional cases involving accomplished athletes. The court said in its order, “The appellant shall be permitted to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games, 2026.” 

The HC bench further noted that the federation’s policy did not provide any discretionary powers to accommodate athletes who had taken a sabbatical due to maternity leave. 

Notably, Phogat has remained at the centre of several major controversies in recent years, including protests against former officials of the WFI and concerns over athlete rights.