Delhi High Court gives WFI two weeks to decide Phogat notices

The Delhi High Court directed WFI to decide Vinesh Phogat's two show-cause notices within two weeks. The order shields her tournament plans from a delayed adverse ruling.Newdelhi,Oct 30, 2026 12:26 ISTThe Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on two show-cause notices issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The court said any decision taken after the two-week deadline would remain on hold until the next hearing on January 20, 2027. The notices were issued on May 9 and June 17 over allegations of indiscipline and violations of anti-doping rules.Justice Amit Mahajan passed the order on October 29 while hearing Phogat's petition seeking the cancellation of the notices and the disciplinary proceedings initiated against her.Phogat's senior counsel told the court that no final order had been passed on the two notices. He said there was currently no bar on her participation in upcoming tournaments, but an adverse decision shortly before a competition could leave her without an appropriate remedy. Calling the concern genuine, Justice Mahajan said, "A sportsperson has to be in a fit and relaxed state of mind to participate in any competitive event of such nature as indicated so that their performance is not compromised in any way.""In view of the same, the respondents are directed to take a decision on the impugned SCNs (show-cause notices), within a period of two weeks. If the decision is taken, after two weeks, the same shall be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing. List on 20.01.2027," the court ordered. According to PTI, Phogat's senior lawyer said she wanted to compete in a national tournament scheduled for mid-December and that the pending notices were "kept as a hanging sword" over her.The court issued notices to the WFI and the Centre on Phogat's petition.In her plea, Phogat alleged that the notices were part of a continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action by the WFI that was obstructing her return to competitive wrestling after maternity.She contended that the WFI acted against her despite the International Testing Agency clearing her to compete from January 1, 2026. Her petition said the federation adopted an eligibility framework that effectively excluded her from the selection process and then issued the first show-cause notice alleging anti-doping and whereabouts violations.The plea said the notices and related proceedings continued to impede her return to elite competition and could affect her eligibility, nomination and participation in upcoming events.The WFI must now decide on the two notices within two weeks, while any decision taken after that period will remain on hold until the High Court hears the case again on January 20, 2027.- Ends