The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday (June 4, 2026) suspended five wrestlers, including U20 Asian Championship trails winner Deepanshu, for four years after their birth certificates were found to be fake during a verification exercise in its crackdown on age fraud in the sport.

Deepanshu, who had won the men’s freestyle 65kg event on Wednesday (June 3, 2026), has been replaced by Pawan Balaji Dhayagude in the squad for the championship, starting June 27 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The other suspended wrestlers are Tanuj Antil, Baljot Singh and Nikhil Dalal and Saket Drall, who reached the final of the 86kg trials. He was removed from the final and was replaced by Sahil Dalal, who eventually grabbed the place in the Indian team.

In an order issued by WFI president Sanjay Kumar Singh, the federation said it had taken a “very serious view” of wrestlers submitting forged birth certificates to gain eligibility for participation in National Wrestling Championships.

WFI said discrepancies in birth certificates had surfaced in several cases in recent months, leading to suspensions and widespread reporting in print, electronic and social media.

“Despite the action already taken, some wrestlers allegedly continued attempting to compete in national events by submitting alternative or fabricated documents,” WFI said in its notice.

The federation said verification conducted with the Registrar (Birth and Death), Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, confirmed that the birth certificates submitted by the five wrestlers were not genuine and that corresponding records could not be traced in official registers.

Terming the violations serious, the WFI announced disciplinary proceedings against the wrestlers and suspended them from all wrestling-related activities under its aegis for a period of four years with immediate effect.

The latest action comes amid the federation’s efforts to curb age manipulation, an issue that has long plagued age-group competitions in Indian wrestling.

Show-cause notice to referee commission member

In a separate development, the WFI issued a show-cause notice to referee Jaibir, a member of the WFI Referee Commission, alleging conflict of interest and misconduct during the Asian Games selection trials in Lucknow on May 31.

According to the notice, Jaibir had been appointed as a referee for the trials and was officiating on the mat where Greco-Roman bouts were conducted. During the competition, his son, Ronak Dahiya, participated in the 130kg Greco-Roman category.

The federation alleged that during the final bout of the 130kg event, Jabir removed his referee kit and assumed the role of coach for his son while continuing to remain associated with the event as an appointed referee.

WFI said such conduct amounted to a serious conflict of interest and was contrary to the principles of neutrality, impartiality and professional ethics expected from a technical official.

The federation has asked Jaibir to submit a written explanation by June 10 as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated against him.

As Jaibir is currently officiating at the third Ranking Tournament in Mongolia, scheduled to conclude on June 9, the WFI has permitted him to continue his duties there. However, he will stand temporarily suspended after the tournament pending a final decision by the federation.

The WFI maintained that officials must disclose any potential conflict of interest and recuse themselves from duties that could compromise the integrity and fairness of competitions.

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.

Former world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat was on Saturday (May 30, 2026) allowed to compete in the women’s 53kg category at the Asian Games selection trials after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) reversed its earlier stand of restricting her participation to the 50kg division.

The dramatic turn of events came during the official weigh-in on Saturday (May 30, 2026) morning when Vinesh was informed that she would be permitted to compete only in the 50kg category, citing her participation in that weight class in her last four international events, including the Paris Olympics.

The wrestler strongly objected to the decision and accused the federation of discriminating against her by denying her the opportunity to compete in a category of her choice.

Sources present at the venue said the matter escalated before WFI president Sanjay Singh intervened and decided to allow Vinesh to enter the 53kg trials as well.

“We allowed her after she threw accusations and asked the officials to take her weight,” WFI president Sanjay Singh told PTI.

“We do not want to discriminate anyone. She did not inform which category she wants to compete and still letting her.”

Vinesh subsequently weighed in at 53.9kg and was accommodated in the 53kg draw.

It now sets up an intriguing battle between her, another proven performer Antim Panghal and the fast-rising Meenakshi Goyat.

In a brief chat with media while preparing, Vinesh said, “I am here for at least two years.”

The development was a significant climb-down by the WFI, which had maintained that Vinesh would be considered only for the 50kg category.

The federation’s argument was that the wrestler had consistently competed in that division in recent international competitions and had not formally intimated the WFI about switching categories for the trials.

The issue had already generated considerable controversy after the Delhi High Court directed the WFI to treat Vinesh as an “iconic player” and allow her to participate in the Asian Games selection trials.

Vinesh, however, has competed in multiple weight divisions during her career, including 53kg, and was keen to contest the trials in that category.

The winner of the trials will earn the right to represent India at the Asian Games later this year.

The WFI’s decision to accommodate Vinesh in the 53kg draw ended hours of uncertainty and ensured that one of India’s most decorated women wrestlers remained in contention for an Asian Games berth.

The simmering stand-off between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and star grappler Vinesh Phogat appears headed for another flashpoint, with the national federation deciding to allow her to compete only in the women’s 50kg category in the Asian Games selection trials.

According to WFI sources, federation officials waited for confirmation on her preferred weight division after Supreme Court paved the way for her participation in Saturday’s (May 30, 2026) trials but did not receive any communication from the two-time World Championship medallist till late Friday evening.

Since Vinesh has competed in the 50kg category in her last few international events, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, the federation has decided to consider her for that division alone.

“It is important for the chief coach and the technical officials to know which wrestler is competing in which weight category. We waited till late evening but no email, message or any formal intimation was received from Vinesh’s side,” a WFI source told PTI.

It has been learnt that the celebrated wrestler has been preparing to compete in the 53kg class and was training at the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex here, which is also the venue for the trials.

A senior WFI official said the federation would honour the court’s directions but would conduct the trials strictly under its own regulations.

“Honouring the court orders, we will allow Vinesh to compete. But only WFI rules will apply during the competition. We have no objection if observers from the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Ministry are present. In fact, we welcome their presence even as the Supreme Court has not passed any such direction. It was the High Court which had mentioned observers,” the official said.

The federation will allow a one-kilogram weight tolerance for all wrestlers participating in the championship.

That effectively means Vinesh will have to at least reduce her weight to 51kg if she is to compete in the 50kg division.

Several wrestler oppose Vinesh’s direct entry

The controversy has triggered sharp reactions within the wrestling fraternity. It has been learnt that at least 16 women wrestlers have approached the court, seeking directions that Vinesh should not be granted direct entry into the trials.

The petitioners have reportedly argued that they have spent many months competing through the regular domestic pathway while Vinesh has entered the Asian Games selection race directly because of her iconic player status.

Open Ranking event medal winners can compete

Meanwhile, in another important development, WFI has decided to allow all medal winners from the National Open Ranking event in Gonda to compete in the Asian Games trials after receiving multiple representations from the medal-winning wrestlers.

It has opened the door for 2019 World Championships medallist and Olympian Deepak Punia to get into national reckoning after struggling for form for last few months.

A Delhi court on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) recorded the testimony of Special Investigation Team (SIT) members while examining the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and ex-BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court recorded the statement of SIT Inspector Sandeep and directed the Investigating Officer to depose on May 15 and 19.

Several renowned wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sangeeta Phogat had protested for months in New Delhi in 2023, demanding the arrest of the BJP leader for allegedly sexually harassing several women grapplers, including a minor. The complaint stated that the harassment took place between 2016 and 2019 at the WFI office, at Mr. Singh’s official residence, and also during trips abroad.

Trial statements recorded

As the grapplers’ protest continued for weeks, the Union Sports Ministry had constituted an oversight committee to internally investigate the matter.

The police filed an FIR against Mr. Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar after the intervention of the Supreme Court in May 2023. In June that year, a 1,000-page chargesheet was filed in the court.

Over the last two years, the court has recorded the trial statements of victims, witnesses, and Mr. Singh. However, a minor wrestler later took back her complaint and changed her statement.

Ms. Phogat, who is also a Congress MLA from Haryana, recently disclosed that she was among the victims in the case, almost three years after the initial sexual harassment complaints.

Mr. Singh has maintained that the case is politically motivated.

Double World championships bronze medalist Vinesh Phogat’s comeback bid after a sabbatical following the Paris Olympics hit a roadblock when the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) found her ineligible as per a United World Wrestling (UWW) rule, which requires retired athletes to inform the world body six months prior to their intended return to competition. With an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Phogat — a prominent face in the 2023 wrestlers’ protest and one of the six women who brought allegations of sexual harassment and started a legal battle against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh — was aiming for a brave comeback in the Open Ranking tournament at the Nandini Nagar Mahavidyalaya; Brij Bhushan, also a Gonda strongman and former BJP Member of Parliament, owns it. The National Federation, which is headed by Brij Bhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh, also issued a show-cause notice to Phogat on three separate, prominent grounds. Firstly, that she did not adhere to the 50kg weight limit and was disqualified after reaching the final at the Paris Olympics. It resulted in her disqualification, a loss of medal and negative publicity. Second, as an athlete in the registered testing pool, who is required to give a time slot every day and be available for dope tests, she had multiple whereabouts failures, including on December 18, shortly after announcing her comeback. Third, Phogat violated a UWW rule by competing in two weight categories, 50kg and 53kg, at a selection trial in March 2024 for an Olympic qualifying event.

But the timing of the show-cause notice and the charges, which Phogat has rubbished, raises doubts about the intentions behind it. As for the Paris fiasco, it happened two years ago. Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, three missed tests and/or filing failures within a 12-month period constitute an anti-doping rule violation. It is, however, not applicable in Phogat’s case. Moreover, the UWW and National Anti-Doping Agency are the authorities concerned to deal with doping issues. The trials, in which Phogat participated in two weights, were held by an ad hoc body as the WFI was not recognised by the government at the time. As a parent body, the WFI should have shown maturity in handling Phogat’s comeback. Instead, it clubbed together different matters spanning two years to thwart the 31-year-old’s return. Phogat, who is a Congress legislator from Haryana, has shown her strong temperament and is working with her legal team to respond to the show-cause notice within 14 days. Meanwhile, the UWW should step in to stop the ugly bout between a decorated wrestler and the WFI. India can do without further embarrassment on this score.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Saturday (May 9, 2026) show-caused double World championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on different grounds, including her failure to stick to the weight restriction at the Paris Olympics, anti-doping issues (multiple whereabouts failures) and participating in two weight categories during the trials for an Olympic qualifier.

Besides, the WFI shot down Vinesh’s attempt to come back to competitive wrestling — at the Senior Open Ranking tournament starting on the Nandininagar Mahavidyalaya campus on Sunday (May 10) — following her post-Paris “sabbatical.” It said Vinesh informed the world body, United World Wrestling (UWW), about her return less than six months ago, the minimum stipulation for a retired athlete to make a comeback.

It’s learnt that there is a written record of Vinesh’s retirement and her decision to return to competition.

In the 15-page show-cause, the WFI highlighted the issue of Vinesh failing to meet the weight stipulation on the second day after reaching the 50kg final at the Paris Olympics. It said Vinesh was “duty-bound” under UWW rules to stick to the limit and her disqualification resulted in a loss of medal, negative publicity and reputational damage to the WFI.

The WFI said Vinesh committed whereabouts (where an athlete on the registered testing pool gives time slots and makes herself available to give samples for dope testing) failures, including twice in 2024 and the one on December 18, 2025, soon after she informed authorities concerned about her resumption of training with an eye on Los Angeles 2028.

The federation said it must satisfy itself that Vinesh had not committed any anti-doping rule violation that would render her ineligible to participate in any event, including the Open Ranking event “which is in any case prior to your six months completion from your date of resumption.”

The WFI also accused Vinesh of violating the UWW rule by competing in two weights, 50kg and 53kg trials (which was conducted by an ad-hoc committee as the WFI was not recognised by the Government then), in March 2024.

The federation gave Vinesh 14 days to give an explanation.

Meanwhile, the Open Ranking event here will provide a chance to several talented wrestlers to enter the National camp.