New Delhi, 06 July (H.S.):

The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on the show-cause notice issued to woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's Bench passed the direction while disposing of Phogat's petition on Monday.

During the hearing, senior counsel appearing for Vinesh Phogat argued that the matter required a detailed hearing as it also involved issues relating to the selection process. The Court, however, observed that any challenge to the selection process would have to be made through a separate petition. It then disposed of the case after directing the WFI to take a decision on the show-cause notice within two weeks.

Earlier, on May 18, a Single Bench of the High Court had refused to grant interim relief to Phogat and directed her to submit a detailed reply to the show-cause notice issued by the WFI. She subsequently challenged that order before a Division Bench.

On May 23, the Division Bench permitted Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the Asian Games. The WFI challenged that order before the Supreme Court. The apex court dismissed the federation's plea, allowing Phogat to compete in the trials. She participated in the trials on May 30 but failed to qualify.

The Wrestling Federation of India had issued the show-cause notice to Phogat on May 12, alleging indiscipline, violation of anti-doping regulations, and failure to comply with the mandatory rules governing a return to competition after retirement.

According to the WFI, athletes seeking to return to competitive wrestling after retirement are required to give a six-month prior notice, which it alleged Phogat had failed to do. The federation also referred to her disqualification at the 2024 Olympics due to being overweight, stating that the incident had brought embarrassment to the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar