The Delhi High Court on Friday criticized the Wrestling Federation of India for declaring a prominent wrestler ineligible for domestic competitions. The court instructed the central government to establish an expert panel to assess the athlete’s fitness for upcoming Asian Games selection trials. The federation had issued a show-cause notice earlier in May, citing issues such as weight management at the Paris Olympics, repeated anti-doping location failures, and competing in multiple weight classes during Olympic qualifier trials. It also referenced a required six-month waiting period after retirement under anti-doping regulations. The wrestler, who had retired after the 2024 Olympics and later gave birth, announced a return to competition in December 2025 and participated in a national ranking event despite the federation’s stance. The court observed that the federation’s shift from previous selection practices was notable, particularly regarding the celebration of motherhood in India, and questioned why internal disputes should harm the sport overall. The athlete has also spoken publicly about past allegations of misconduct within the federation.
