New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to take a final decision within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who has challenged the federation's action barring her from participating in domestic competitions over allegations of indiscipline and violations of anti-doping testing rules.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the direction after Vinesh's counsel urged the court to ensure an expeditious decision, arguing that the case raised significant legal questions. The lawyers also informed the court that the WFI had issued another notice on June 17 regarding her conduct during the Asian Games selection trials, while allegedly failing to respond to her requests seeking permission to compete in three international tournaments.
The WFI initially sought four weeks to decide on the May 9 show-cause notice. However, following objections from Vinesh's legal team, the court instructed the federation to conclude the proceedings within two weeks. The federation also told the court that Vinesh's petitions related to the Asian Games selection had become infructuous as she had participated in the trials but failed to qualify.
Vinesh Phogat was among the six women wrestlers who accused former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and played a leading role in the 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar in 2023 alongside Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. The federation's disciplinary action has fuelled concerns in some quarters that the proceedings may be politically motivated, an allegation that has surfaced since the suspension and issuance of the show-cause notice.