GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Friday, May 29, allowed wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held on May 30, refusing to stay a Delhi High Court order that had granted her relief.
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The women’s selection trials are set to take place on May 30 and 31 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. The matter will be heard again on June 1.
A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing a petition filed by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenging the Delhi High Court’s order permitting Phogat to participate in the trials. The apex court declined to stay the High Court order, thereby allowing the wrestler to compete.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the manner in which the Delhi High Court dealt with the issue and observed that frequent judicial interference in sports matters could disrupt schedules and sporting processes.
Justice PS Narasimha reportedly remarked, “These are not medical college admissions, these are national and international sports. It can’t be like Courts will interfere in this manner and disrupt the entire schedule.”
At the same time, the bench also expressed concern over Phogat’s failure to attend a doping test in January and the International Testing Agency’s (ITA) refusal to accept her explanation. Phogat had stated that she missed the test due to her attendance at the Haryana Assembly as an MLA.
The Wrestling Federation of India had moved the Supreme Court on Thursday against the Delhi High Court’s decision. The plea was heard by the bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe.