Delhi High Court allows Butlers' plea, dismisses Vinesh Phogat's appeal

INDC Network : Sports : The Delhi High Court recently accepted the petition filed by Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Satyavrat Kadian seeking restoration of the jurisdiction of the ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). This committee was conducting the affairs of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). These wrestlers had also requested that a former High Court or Supreme Court judge be appointed to handle the affairs of the WFI. However, the court has rejected this appeal.

This development came at a time when the country suffered a major setback on August 14. Vinesh Phogat had filed an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, which was rejected. Two days later, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and her husband Satyavrat Kadian got relief from the Delhi High Court when their petition was accepted. This decision gave hope to these wrestlers once again.

The Delhi High Court in its interim order said that the WFI elections held in December 2023 were not in line with the suspension of WFI by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Therefore, it is necessary that the ad-hoc committee of the IOA conducts the day-to-day functioning of the WFI until the order is withdrawn. The court also mentioned that since the dissolution of this ad-hoc committee was improper, the jurisdiction of the ad-hoc committee is restored under the order issued by the IOA on December 27, 2023. However, it will be open for the IOA to reconstitute the ad-hoc committee to ensure that it consists of eminent sportspersons and experts who are capable of dealing with international federations. This is aimed at allaying any concerns regarding the steps taken against the WFI by the UWW (United World Wrestling-the world body for the sport).

Vinesh, Bajrang, Sakshi and Satyawart, who were at the forefront of the wrestlers' protest against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had filed the petition as they sought to run the affairs of the WFI independently after Brij Bhushan's brother Sanjay Singh was elected WFI chief. The Delhi High Court accepted their petition, but rejected the appeal for the appointment of a judge to handle the affairs of the WFI.

Meanwhile, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat had an emotional breakdown while returning to Delhi from Paris. Vinesh, who faced heartbreaking circumstances during her Olympic campaign, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. During this, everyone was shocked to see her as her face was filled with tears. In fact, she was disqualified from the competition after being found 100 grams overweight in the 50kg freestyle final.

Despite Vinesh's disappointing situation, tight security was put in place at the airport to welcome her. Vinesh was welcomed by family and friends, including Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. On the day of her gold medal match earlier this month, Vinesh was disqualified for being slightly over the weight limit (50kg). She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking a shared silver medal, but her appeal was rejected on Wednesday.

After returning to Delhi, Vinesh wiped her tears and told the media, "I thank the whole country. I am very lucky to have received so much love." Her statement won the hearts of her supporters.

Vinesh was scheduled to compete against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States in the women's 50kg final on August 7. After her disqualification, Cuba's Yusnelis Guzman Lopez, whom Vinesh defeated in the semi-finals, was promoted to the final. However, she lost in the final and settled for the silver medal.

Meanwhile, London Olympics bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang, who served as the chef de mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, shared a picture with Phogat at the Paris airport. He called Vinesh a champion and wrote on social media, "She came to the Games Village a champion on day one and she will always be our champion. Sometimes it doesn't take an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams."

The day after her disqualification, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. She shared a heartbreaking post on social media, writing, "Maa kushti mujhse jeet gayi, main haal gayi. Forgive me, your dream and my courage are shattered. I have no more strength left in me. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024." The post touched the hearts of her fans and supporters and her courage was saluted.