High Court Seeks Swift WFI Decision on Vinesh Phogat Notices

In a significant order, the Delhi High Court has asked the Wrestling Federation of India to decide, within two weeks, the show-cause notices served on wrestler Vinesh Phogat.

New Delhi, October 30: The court observed that prolonged uncertainty over disciplinary proceedings can impact an athlete's mental readiness. For a sportsperson to perform well, the bench said, she must remain healthy in mind, free of stress and comfortable before competition.

The matter came up on a petition filed by Vinesh challenging two notices issued by the federation on May 9 and June 17.

Vinesh expressed concern that the WFI could announce an adverse decision just before upcoming tournaments, which would leave her without adequate time to approach the court. Her counsel told the bench that she plans to take part in a national event scheduled for the middle of December 2026, and that the pending notices were weighing on her preparation.

The court considered her apprehension genuine and directed the relevant authorities to decide both notices within two weeks.

It further clarified that if a decision is made after this period, it will remain unimplemented until the next date of hearing. Notices have been issued to the authorities, who have been asked to submit their replies before the next hearing.

The federation had served the notices alleging indiscipline and violations of anti-doping rules. It argued that the six-month mandatory prior notice applicable to returning athletes under United World Wrestling regulations had not been followed.

The WFI also accused Vinesh of failing to share her whereabouts while in the registered testing pool and of not completing doping test formalities.