The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order that allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to take part in the selection trials for the Asian Games.

The Delhi High Court had earlier permitted Phogat to participate in the trials scheduled for May 30 and May 31, stating that the federation’s policy appeared exclusionary, particularly as it did not adequately account for athletes returning after maternity leave.The court observed that a woman athlete should not be placed at a disadvantage due to maternity-related breaks in her career.As part of its directions, the High Court also ordered that the selection trials be video recorded to ensure transparency.

Additionally, it mandated the presence of one independent observer each from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) during the trials.These measures were intended to ensure fairness in the selection process.Phogat had approached the division bench after a single-judge bench had refused to grant her interim relief.

The matter also comes against the backdrop of wider protests by wrestlers against former WFI chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women wrestlers.Phogat herself has stated that she was among the complainants.Following Supreme Court intervention, the Delhi Police registered an FIR in April 2023, and later filed a 1,000-page chargesheet in June 2024.The case remains pending before the court.The Supreme Court is expected to hear the WFI’s petition shortly.