WrestlingFederation – Supreme Court Closes WFI Appeal Over Vinesh Phogat Trial Participation
WrestlingFederation – The Supreme Court on Thursday brought an end to a legal challenge filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) concerning wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s participation in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games. The court observed that later developments in the matter had rendered the federation’s petition ineffective, eliminating the need for further judicial examination of the issue.
Supreme Court Declines Detailed Review
A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar stated that there was no reason to continue hearing the appeal since the circumstances surrounding the dispute had already changed. While disposing of the matter, the court clarified that its decision should not be interpreted as approval of the findings or remarks contained in the Delhi High Court’s earlier order.
The judges emphasized that all legal questions connected to the case remain open and may be addressed in appropriate proceedings if required in the future.
Federation Raises Concerns Over High Court Remarks
Representing the Wrestling Federation of India, senior advocate D.N. Goburdhun informed the court that Phogat had already taken part in the selection trials but was unsuccessful in securing qualification.
During the hearing, the lawyer also argued that certain observations made by the Delhi High Court against the federation should be removed from the record. According to him, the high court had used terms such as “malafide” and “deplorable” while commenting on decisions taken by the federation.
Goburdhun contended that these remarks could affect the ongoing proceedings before a single-judge bench and therefore should not remain in place while the broader dispute is still under consideration.
Court Leaves Legal Questions Unresolved
Despite the federation’s request, the Supreme Court chose not to examine the contested observations in detail. Instead, the bench maintained that all related issues would remain undecided and open for consideration in future proceedings.
The court subsequently disposed of the petition, noting that the central issue had already lost relevance because the selection process had been completed and the wrestler had participated in the trials.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle arose after the Delhi High Court issued an order on May 22 allowing Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials organized for the 2026 Asian Games. The Wrestling Federation of India challenged that order before the Supreme Court, seeking intervention against the high court’s decision.
However, on May 29, the apex court permitted Phogat to compete in the trials scheduled for May 30 and 31. With the event having already taken place and the athlete failing to secure qualification, the Supreme Court concluded that the original dispute no longer required adjudication.
The ruling effectively closes the appeal while leaving broader legal questions connected to the case available for future consideration by the courts.