New Delhi: Delhi High Court Tuesday sought the response of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and Centre on a plea by grappler Vinesh Phogat seeking formulation of a fair and structured framework for women athletes returning to competitive sports after pregnancy and maternity leave.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma also asked Indian Olympic Association to respond to Phogat’s petition and listed the matter for Nov 18.Phogat’s counsel said, “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.”In the plea, the grappler sought directions for formulation of a fair and structured framework for women athletes returning from maternity, transparent and objectively verifiable selection and nomination processes, and an alternative mechanism for athletes disadvantaged by maternity-related absence.She also sought her consideration for competitions for which she is otherwise eligible, and a definite and time-bound domestic competition calendar.Phogat, who became a mother in July 2025, said upon resuming her wrestling career after childbirth, she was made to re-enter the competitive pathway without any accommodation for the period she was unable to compete due to maternity.The plea said the eligibility framework relied on performances in tournaments held during the maternity period, effectively penalising her for the absence, rather than providing an alternative route back into competition.Phogat has filed another petition seeking quashing of two show-cause notices issued to her by WFI and disciplinary proceedings initiated against her.The court asked the counsel for WFI to get instructions in the matter and listed it for hearing on Sept 29. WFI’s counsel said they kept the hearing twice but “there has been no show” and a final opportunity had been given and the hearing would be on Sept 2.In the plea, Phogat said the two notices issued to her on May 9 and June 17 were part of a continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action by WFI, obstructing her return to competitive wrestling after maternity.
