Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Union Government and the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s plea seeking a clearer and more inclusive system for women athletes returning to competition after pregnancy.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to the Indian Olympic Association on Tuesday, with the matter scheduled to come up for hearing on November 18. Vinesh’s petition calls for a transparent return-to-competition policy that does not put athletes in a disadvantage because they were away from the sport due to maternity. She has sought objective criteria for selection and nomination, along with alternative routes for athletes whose performances or rankings are affected by a pregnancy-related break.
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“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,” senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao, who is representing Vinesh, said about the petition, as quoted by Sportstar.
The wrestler has also asked that she be considered for competitions for which she otherwise meets the eligibility requirements. She has further sought a fixed and time-bound calendar for domestic competitions.
Vinesh gave birth to her son in July 2025 and subsequently began her efforts to return to wrestling. According to her petition, she was required to compete under the same selection conditions as other athletes, despite having missed tournaments during her pregnancy and maternity leave.
She has argued that the existing eligibility system places undue emphasis on performances at events held while she was unavailable, leaving athletes returning from maternity without a meaningful alternative to stay in the selection race.
The former Asian Games and Commonwealth Games champion has also approached the court separately over two show-cause notices issued by the WFI. That petition is due to be heard on September 29.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, WFI’s counsel said the federation had scheduled hearings on the notices twice but claimed that Vinesh had not appeared. The federation has now provided a final opportunity, with the next hearing scheduled for September 2.
Vinesh has challenged the notices, issued on May 9 and June 17, describing them as part of what she alleges is a continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action by the federation.
She has argued that the proceedings have hindered her attempt to return to competitive wrestling after childbirth. Her plea also points out that the International Testing Agency had cleared her to compete from January 1, 2026.
According to Vinesh, despite that clearance, the WFI introduced an eligibility system that prevented her from being considered for selection and was followed by the first show-cause notice, which raised allegations relating to anti-doping and whereabouts requirements.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
