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Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing several of India’s top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik, praised the government’s decision to involve one of the country’s leading legal experts in Vinesh Phogat’s case. He called it a significant step forward, especially as Vinesh's plea against her disqualification is set to be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on Friday.

 

Mehra emphasised the importance of this move, expressing hope that Vinesh Phogat might still secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. He stated that involving Harish Salve, one of India’s finest legal minds, in the case is a positive development. "This is a step in the right direction," Mehra said, wishing Salve success in presenting the case effectively.

 

The anticipation surrounding this hearing is high, given the challenges that lie ahead. Mehra pointed out that the legal precedents and rules are not in India’s favour, but he remains optimistic.

 

He expressed the sentiment shared by many across the nation, hoping for a favourable outcome that could see Vinesh Phogat rightfully awarded a silver medal, a recognition of her hard-fought journey.

 

Harish Salve’s involvement in the case brings a sense of reassurance. As a Senior Advocate, his role will be crucial in addressing the complex legal and procedural issues that the case entails. The hearing at the CAS, which is scheduled to begin later on Friday, will be a pivotal moment in this ongoing legal battle.

 

In a related development, on Thursday, during proceedings in the Delhi High Court, Rahul Mehra, Vinesh Phogat’s counsel, made serious allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president, Sanjay Singh.

 

Mehra claimed that Singh and others within the WFI were making decisions on behalf of Vinesh Phogat at the Olympic Village in Paris, despite the WFI’s executive committee being suspended by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2023.

 

These claims have added a layer of complexity to the situation, as Mehra accused the WFI of being controlled by proxies, with Singh’s presence at the Olympic Village being particularly concerning.

 

The Delhi High Court was informed that Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from her gold medal bout due to being slightly overweight, a decision that has now become a point of contention in the ongoing legal dispute.

 

The case is not just about Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification; it also involves broader issues regarding the legitimacy of the WFI’s elections held in December 2023. Wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik have filed a petition challenging these elections, arguing that they violated the Sports Code. They are seeking to halt the WFI’s activities related to wrestling, highlighting the need for transparency and fairness within the organisation.

 

The Central government has expressed its support for Vinesh Phogat amid these legal challenges. The government had previously suspended the WFI in December 2023 due to procedural violations.

 

However, this suspension was lifted by United World Wrestling (UWW) in February 2024, leading to the dissolution of the ad hoc committee that the Indian Olympic Association had formed to oversee the WFI.

 

As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes are on the Delhi High Court, which is set to resume hearing the case on September 12, 2024. The outcome of this case will have significant implications, not just for Vinesh Phogat, but for the entire wrestling community in India.