The dispute arose after the WFI introduced revised eligibility rules for the 2026 trials, stating that only reigning national champions from the previous season could participate. Vinesh Phogat was declared ineligible under this rule because she had been on a maternity break since December 2024.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard the appeal against an earlier single-judge order and permitted Phogat to compete in the trials. The court also directed that the entire selection process be video-recorded to ensure transparency and fairness.
Additionally, the High Court instructed the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to nominate two independent observers from the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association to oversee the trials.
The case highlights the role of judicial review in sports administration, especially in matters related to athlete eligibility and fairness in selection procedures. The Delhi High Court exercised its constitutional powers under Article 226 to examine whether the federation’s eligibility rules were applied fairly.
Vinesh Phogat is one of India’s leading wrestlers and won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games, making her participation significant for India’s wrestling prospects at the upcoming continental event.
