The court's decision has drawn attention to the fairness of the selection process, as other wrestlers are required to undergo trials while Phogat and Punia secured direct entry for the prestigious event.
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has refused to intervene in the exemption granted to top Indian wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, from participating in the Asian Games trials. The court's decision came in response to the petition filed by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal, who challenged the direct entry allowed to Phogat and Punia in the prestigious tournament.
Justice Subramonium Prasad presided over the case and announced the dismissal of the petition, stating, "Writ petition is dismissed." A detailed copy of the court's order is yet to be released, according to PTI.
The controversy arose after the Indian Olympic Association's ad-hoc committee granted direct entry to Phogat in the women's 53kg category and Punia in the men's freestyle 65kg category for the upcoming Asian Games. Meanwhile, other wrestlers are required to secure their spots in the Indian squad through selection trials scheduled for July 22 and 23.
Panghal and Kalkal, through their advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, moved the high court on July 19 to challenge the exemption and demand a fair selection process for the quadrennial showpiece event. Their petition sought to quash the directive issued by the IOA ad-hoc committee regarding the exemption granted to Phogat and Punia.