New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to permit wrestler Vinesh Phogat to compete in the women's selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, issuing a late-night interim order, stated that at this preliminary stage, the court was disinclined to grant an interim exemption from established eligibility criteria to allow the petitioner to take part in the 14 September selection trials.

"To reiterate, the criteria prescribed under the circular dated September 7, 2026 apply uniformly to all athletes. An athlete who has not participated in the prescribed competitions, for whatever reason, would not fall within the eligibility categories specified by respondent no. 1 (WFI)," the court held.

The High Court issued the order while dismissing an application filed by grappler Phogat, who has recently returned to competition following maternity leave, seeking permission to compete in the selection trials for the upcoming World Championships.

The court noted that while Phogat's circumstances regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal recovery require detailed consideration when evaluating the broader policy, those factors do not, at this interim juncture, automatically entitle her to an order permitting participation in violation of existing eligibility norms.

"Granting such interim relief to the petitioner alone, without first adjudicating upon the policy itself, may consequently result in unequal treatment of similarly situated athletes who are not before this court," the bench observed.

The court added that without expressing any final opinion on the validity of the circular or on the merits of ongoing disciplinary proceedings, it was disinclined to grant interim relief.

Phogat, in her application submitted within a pending petition, also sought a stay on the implementation of a 7 September circular released by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which detailed the eligibility rules for the selection trials set to take place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on 14 September.

The fresh application was submitted as part of a main petition in which the wrestler has petitioned the court to mandate a transparent and structured framework for female athletes returning to elite sports after pregnancy and maternity leave.

In her application, she requested a stay on the circular on the grounds that it effectively excludes her from participating in selection trials for the World Championships, which are scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 24 October to 1 November.

The WFI circular outlines selection trials across six Olympic weight classes. Phogat contended that the updated selection framework establishes a closed pathway by tying eligibility strictly to participation and performance in specified qualifying events.

The petition argued that the circular places Phogat in a position where she is excluded not because her athletic capabilities have been evaluated and deemed insufficient, but because she was unable to take part in the specific events selected by the WFI as gateways to the trials.

It further noted that the framework lacks any provision to accommodate an athlete who was unable to enter the designated qualifying competitions due to maternity-related reasons.

On 1 September, the high court sought responses from both the WFI and the central government regarding Phogat's plea demanding a structured framework for female athletes returning from maternity leave.

In her main petition, she requested directions for the formulation of a fair return-to-sport policy for post-maternity athletes, objective and verifiable selection criteria, and an alternative entry mechanism for athletes disadvantaged by pregnancy-related absences.

Phogat, who gave birth in July 2025, stated that upon resuming her wrestling career following childbirth, she was required to re-enter the competitive system without any accommodation for the period she was sidelined due to maternity.

The wrestler has also filed a separate petition seeking the annulment of two show-cause notices issued to her by the WFI, as well as the termination of disciplinary proceedings initiated against her.

Counsel representing the WFI previously informed the court that hearing dates had been scheduled twice but "there has been no show", adding that a final opportunity had been extended with a hearing conducted on 2 September.

In her plea, Phogat asserted that the two notices issued on 9 May and 17 June formed part of an ongoing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide actions by the WFI aimed at impeding her return to competitive wrestling following maternity leave.

PTI