The Supreme Court on Thursday (June 4, 2026) said the plea of the Wrestling Federation of India against the Delhi High Court order allowing wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in selection trials has become infructuous in view of subsequent developments.

A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar, which refused to go into the observations made by the high court, said this court should not be taken as having reiterated the findings and observations made in the order.

The Bench said all the issues are left open.

Senior advocate D.N. Goburdhun, appearing for the WFI said that Ms. Phogat was allowed to participate in the selection trial but she did not succeed.

“She did not succeed but she created havoc over there,” the senior counsel told the Bench.

The Bench told him that the issue has now become infructuous.

Mr. Goburdhun submitted that there were certain observations made by the high court with regard to decisions of the Federation and terming them “malafide” and “deplorable”.

“All these observations will have to go as the matter is pending before the single Bench,” the senior counsel submitted.

The top court then left the questions open and disposed of the plea as infructuous.

On May 29, the top court permitted Ms. Phogat to participate in the selection trials to be held on May 30 and 31 for the Asian Games 2026.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had challenged the Delhi High Court order of May 22 allowing Ms. Phogat to participate in the selection trials.

The Supreme Court on Thursday (June 4, 2026) said the plea of the Wrestling Federation of India against the Delhi High Court order allowing wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in selection trials has become infructuous in view of subsequent developments.

A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar, which refused to go into the observations made by the high court, said this court should not be taken as having reiterated the findings and observations made in the order.

The Bench said all the issues are left open.

Senior advocate D.N. Goburdhun, appearing for the WFI said that Ms. Phogat was allowed to participate in the selection trial but she did not succeed.

“She did not succeed but she created havoc over there,” the senior counsel told the Bench.

The Bench told him that the issue has now become infructuous.

Mr. Goburdhun submitted that there were certain observations made by the high court with regard to decisions of the Federation and terming them “malafide” and “deplorable”.

“All these observations will have to go as the matter is pending before the single Bench,” the senior counsel submitted.

The top court then left the questions open and disposed of the plea as infructuous.

On May 29, the top court permitted Ms. Phogat to participate in the selection trials to be held on May 30 and 31 for the Asian Games 2026.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had challenged the Delhi High Court order of May 22 allowing Ms. Phogat to participate in the selection trials.

The competition was in six weight categories but there was no doubt as to where the spotlight was — Mat A at the IGI Stadium, the 53kg draw and Vinesh Phogat, hoping to qualify for the Asian Games later this year.

Vinesh fell short but the drama began much before her semifinal bout late in the evening. She was first handed a copy of the WFI circular that permitted her entry in the 50kg in the early hours of Saturday (May 30, 2026), followed by more than an hour of waiting and protests before finally being allowed to weigh in.

“It was never a fair fight. I had to wait for more than an hour for weigh-in and was allowed only after our lawyers spoke of going to the court again. They put all the strong competitors in my half of the draw. But one loss doesn’t define anyone’s future. I am back after giving birth 10 months ago. I still have the courage and strength and I will work hard and return to the mat,” Vinesh said after her loss to Meenakshi in the semifinals.

The rancour between the federation and Vinesh had already given enough indications of an uneasy truce, mediated by the judiciary. “We are fighting judges, federation, the whole system on one side. The decisions were not fair but when you fight an entire system, you are a winner. I want to be an inspiration for my son. The target now is (the) LA28 (Olympics). I am proud of my fight and with the Delhi HC observations, I am sure they will be forced to make policy changes regarding female wrestlers returning after maternity,” she added.

​Ugly bout: On the show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat

Meenakshi, meanwhile, simply shrugged off the win. “If I thought of pressure, I would never be able to compete. I simply blocked everything and only focused on doing the right things,” she said.

The competition was in six weight categories but there was no doubt as to where the spotlight was — Mat A at the IGI Stadium, the 53kg draw and Vinesh Phogat, hoping to qualify for the Asian Games later this year.

Vinesh fell short but the drama began much before her semifinal bout late in the evening. She was first handed a copy of the WFI circular that permitted her entry in the 50kg in the early hours of Saturday (May 30, 2026), followed by more than an hour of waiting and protests before finally being allowed to weigh in.

“It was never a fair fight. I had to wait for more than an hour for weigh-in and was allowed only after our lawyers spoke of going to the court again. They put all the strong competitors in my half of the draw. But one loss doesn’t define anyone’s future. I am back after giving birth 10 months ago. I still have the courage and strength and I will work hard and return to the mat,” Vinesh said after her loss to Meenakshi in the semifinals.

The rancour between the federation and Vinesh had already given enough indications of an uneasy truce, mediated by the judiciary. “We are fighting judges, federation, the whole system on one side. The decisions were not fair but when you fight an entire system, you are a winner. I want to be an inspiration for my son. The target now is (the) LA28 (Olympics). I am proud of my fight and with the Delhi HC observations, I am sure they will be forced to make policy changes regarding female wrestlers returning after maternity,” she added.

​Ugly bout: On the show-cause notice to Vinesh Phogat

Meenakshi, meanwhile, simply shrugged off the win. “If I thought of pressure, I would never be able to compete. I simply blocked everything and only focused on doing the right things,” she said.