Delhi HC seeks WFI, Centre response on Phogat's plea for maternity return policy

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea seeking a fair and structured framework for women athletes returning to competitive sport after pregnancy and maternity leave.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notices to the three respondents and listed Phogat's plea for hearing on November 18.

Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, appearing for Phogat, said the petition raised a wider issue concerning women athletes and the impact of maternity leave on their ability to compete.

“This is a larger question on lady athletes and maternity leave and impact on their ability to participate in the sport. In fact, international standards are that female athlete who takes maternity leave is given some benefits and protection of her ranking, etc,” Rao said.

Phogat, who became a mother in July 2025, has sought directions for a transparent and objectively verifiable framework governing the selection and nomination of women athletes returning from maternity.

She has also sought an alternative mechanism for athletes disadvantaged by maternity-related absence, consideration for competitions for which they are otherwise eligible, and a definite and time-bound domestic competition calendar.

According to the plea, Phogat was required to re-enter the competitive pathway after resuming her wrestling career following childbirth, without any accommodation for the period during which she was unable to compete because of maternity.

It contended that the existing eligibility framework relied on performances in tournaments held during her maternity period, effectively penalising her for not participating in those events instead of providing an alternative route back into competition.

Phogat has also challenged the WFI's actions against her through a separate petition seeking quashing of two show cause notices issued to her and the disciplinary proceedings initiated against her.

The court asked WFI's counsel to obtain instructions on the matter and listed the petition for hearing on September 29.

WFI's counsel told the court that the federation had scheduled the hearing twice but there had been no appearance. A final opportunity had been granted, with the hearing now scheduled for September 2.

In her second plea, Phogat alleged that the notices issued to her on May 9 and June 17 were part of a continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action by the WFI that obstructed her return to competitive wrestling after maternity.

She contended that the federation acted against her despite the International Testing Agency having cleared her to compete from January 1, 2026.

According to the plea, WFI subsequently adopted an eligibility framework that effectively excluded her from the selection process and issued the first show cause notice alleging anti-doping and whereabouts violations.

Phogat has argued that the notices and the resulting proceedings continue to impede her return to elite competition and could prejudice her eligibility, nomination and participation in upcoming events.