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During the proceedings, the Court emphasized the necessity of balancing the interests of the nation with the career requirements of individual athletes. Justice Sharma noted that the current selection framework presents significant challenges for women who take a career break for pregnancy and childbirth, as they are often unable to meet the same medal-based eligibility requirements as their male counterparts who remain active in competition throughout that period.
Court Examines Selection Criteria and Athlete Rights
Representing Phogat, Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao argued that the WFI’s selection criteria, which were communicated on September 7, effectively excluded the wrestler from the process following her return from maternity. Rao contended that the current rules, if upheld, would prevent her from competing for two years, potentially ending her professional career. The legal counsel described the federation's approach as acting with absolute arbitrariness.
In response, the WFI maintained that Phogat has not been banned from the sport. The federation’s counsel stated that she remains eligible to compete at the state and national levels to progress through the established selection pathway. The WFI clarified that the current criteria, which prioritize medal winners from specific 2025 and 2026 competitions, are applied uniformly to all wrestlers.
Addressing the Gap in Athletic Policy
Justice Sharma highlighted that the lack of specific maternity provisions creates an inherent disadvantage for women. Drawing a parallel to the legal profession, the Court observed that women often face similar hurdles when returning to work after childbirth. The Bench stressed that a mechanism must be developed to address these circumstances to ensure fairness, while also reserving its final order on the matter.
The dispute stems from a WFI circular issued on September 7, which outlined the eligibility requirements for the trials scheduled at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. The World Championships are set to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1. In addition to the selection trial challenge, the Court heard an application from Phogat requesting an early hearing regarding ongoing disciplinary proceedings related to allegations of misconduct, indiscipline, and anti-doping violations stemming from the 2026 Asian Games selection trials.
