On Monday, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was directed by the Delhi High Court to decide the show-cause notice (SCN) issued to wrestler Vinesh Phogat, within two weeks.

The direction was passed by a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

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The SCN

As per reports by Hindustan Times, in a show-cause notice (SCN) dated 9th May 2026, the WFI alleged that Phogat had failed to complete the mandatory six-month notice period required for athletes returning from retirement under the anti-doping rules of United World Wrestling, while also accusing her of indiscipline.

The SCN also declared Phogat as ineligible to participate in domestic competitions, describing the incident leading to her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a “national embarrassment” and “deplorable”.

Phogat’s reply

Phogat’s counsel, Rajshekhar Rao and Ashita Khanna urged the Delhi High Court to direct the WFI to decide on the SCN, since it raised larger questions of law.

Moreover, Phogat’s counsel also informed that court that after the Asian Games selection trials, the WFI had issued another show-cause notice to Phogat on June 17 regarding her conduct in the trials and that the federation did not respond to Phogat’s requests to participate in three international events.

Despite the confirmation by WFI’s lawyer Hemant Phalpher’s confirmation that the federation would decide on the show-cause notice within four weeks, the Delhi HC directed the WFI to do the same in two weeks, as per reports by Hindustan Times.

The court ordered, “The respondent WFI is directed to take a call on the May 9 SCN in two weeks. The petition is disposed of.”

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FAQs

1) Who issued a show-cause notice (SCN) to Vinesh Phogat?

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) issued a show-cause notice (SCN) to wrestler Vinesh Phogat on May 9, 2026.

2) What was the Delhi HC’s verdict regarding the SCN?

The Delhi High Court directed the WFI to decide on the SCN within two weeks, in response to Phogat’s petition challenging the SCN and WFI’s Asian Games selection criteria.