Vinesh Phogat has secured a fresh deadline for the wrestling federation to decide two pending disciplinary notices, but not a final ruling on the allegations. In an order passed on October 29, 2026, the Delhi HC directed officials to decide the notices within two weeks and said any decision issued after that window must remain in abeyance until the next hearing on January 20, 2027.

Justice Amit Mahajan made the order after hearing concerns that uncertainty could disrupt the wrestler's preparation for a national tournament expected in mid-December. The Delhi High Court did not quash the notices, establish wrongdoing or give the athlete an unconditional right to enter every future competition.

Delhi HC Order for Vinesh Phogat: What the Judge Actually Directed

The Wrestling Federation of India must take a decision on the two notices dated May 9 and June 17 within two weeks, according to the October 29 court order. The order includes a specific safeguard: if the decision comes after the two-week period, it will remain in abeyance until the next hearing. That is different from suspending every decision, including one made within the deadline.

Justice Mahajan observed that an athlete needs a “fit and relaxed state of mind” to compete and that prolonged uncertainty should not compromise sporting performance. Senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao told the court that, because no final disciplinary order had been passed, the pending notices did not currently prevent participation by themselves. He feared an adverse decision just before the planned December competition could leave too little time to seek judicial relief. The WFI has been given an opportunity to respond before the next hearing. The judge did not determine whether either allegation was justified.

Asian Games 2026 Trials: Why Two Notices Were Issued

The first notice, issued on May 9, alleged indiscipline and non-compliance with anti-doping return-to-competition procedures. Federation officials argued that the wrestler had not fulfilled the six-month notification period associated with returning from retirement. She disputed the allegation and relied on an International Testing Agency communication indicating that she could resume competition from January 1, 2026. The competing positions do not, by themselves, amount to a finding that an anti-doping violation occurred.

For the Asian Games 2026 selection trials, a division bench allowed the wrestler to compete in May. She took part on May 30 in the 53 kg category and reached the semifinals, but was not selected. The second notice, issued June 17, concerned alleged misconduct during those trials. Neither notice had resulted in a final disciplinary order by the time of the September 10 judgment.

Why the July Court Deadline Matters

On July 6, the Delhi High Court had already ordered the federation to decide the May 9 notice within two weeks. The written order required the decision to be communicated to the athlete and the court. For Vinesh Phogat, the absence of a decision after that direction prolonged uncertainty over disciplinary proceedings. However, the September judgment also records that the Wrestling Federation of India offered hearing dates in July and August and that the wrestler objected to the undisclosed composition of the disciplinary committee. This means the delay should not be attributed exclusively to one side without examining the full procedural record.

Does the Ruling Guarantee Entry to Upcoming Tournaments?

No. The WFI disciplinary notices are distinct from the selection criteria applied to particular events. On September 10, the court refused to exempt the wrestler from eligibility conditions for the Senior World Wrestling Championships selection trials. It said the earlier permission to take part in the Asian Games trials was not a general exemption from future rules. The September judgment also recognised the wider issue of how selection policies affect women returning after pregnancy and childbirth, but left that question for further examination. A pending notice does not automatically amount to a suspension. Equally, its unresolved status does not override separate eligibility criteria, qualification requirements or future lawful disciplinary decisions.

What Happens Next?

The Delhi HC has prioritised a timely decision without deciding the merits of the allegations. The two-week period runs from the October 29 order, putting the deadline in mid-November. The federation must issue decisions on the notices or risk having any later decisions held in abeyance until the next listing.

The Delhi HC will hear the matter again on January 20, 2027. For Vinesh Phogat, the immediate question is whether the notices are resolved early enough to allow meaningful preparation and, if necessary, a legal challenge before December's expected national competition.