Following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics, her legal team raised serious concerns about the Wrestling Federation of India’s governance, revealing to the Delhi High Court that WFI and its president Sanjay Singh were making crucial decisions about Phogat’s participation despite the suspension of the federation’s executive committee.
The WFI's executive committee was suspended by the Union sports ministry in 2023, a move highlighted during a recent court hearing. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Phogat, argued that Singh, currently at the Olympics village, was improperly involved in decisions affecting Phogat, despite the suspension of WFI’s elected executive committee.
Phogat's disqualification occurred just a day after she ended Japan’s Yui Susaki’s 82-match winning streak, securing a place in the finals. Phogat was disqualified for exceeding the 50kg weight limit by 100 grams, which came as a shock given her recent victory and the significance of the bout. Her disqualification, which happened on August 7, has sparked outrage, especially given that it followed her remarkable win over Susaki.
On August 8, the Union government’s standing counsel, Anil Soni, indicated support for Phogat, stating that the nation is behind her. This support comes amid ongoing legal challenges against the WFI's recent elections, which were conducted in December 2023 and led to Singh’s appointment.
Phogat and other wrestlers, who had previously protested against the former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over serious allegations, have sought to overturn the elections, claiming they were conducted in violation of the sports code.
High courts in Guwahati, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana had all imposed stays on the elections, contributing to the federation’s suspension by the global governing body, United World Wrestling. Despite the controversies and delays, the elections eventually took place, with Singh’s victory celebrated in a manner that some critics argue underscores a lack of genuine reform within the federation.
Phogat’s involvement in the protests against Singh and her subsequent disqualification has intensified scrutiny of the WFI's management and its adherence to regulatory standards. The court has been urged to expedite its decision regarding the WFI’s functioning and the ongoing legal disputes, with the next hearing scheduled for September 12.