Senior Advocate Praises Government’s Strategic Legal Involvement

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, who represents prominent wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik in the Delhi High Court, praised the government’s decision to involve one of India’s top legal experts in Vinesh Phogat’s case, calling it a significant move. Mehra, speaking ahead of the Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing on Friday regarding Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, remarked, “The government’s step is significant… There’s still a slim chance that Vinesh might secure a silver medal at the Olympics, and having one of India’s best legal minds, Harish Salve, involved is crucial.”

He added, “I hope Salve can present the case uniquely because the precedents and rules are against India and Vinesh. All of India is backing her, and we’re praying for a positive outcome, hopefully leading to a deserved silver medal for Vinesh.”

Harish Salve, a Senior Advocate, will represent the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the case concerning Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Salve’s involvement is seen as vital in navigating the legal and procedural challenges of the dispute. The ad hoc hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is scheduled for Friday.

On Thursday, in the Delhi High Court, Rahul Mehra, representing Phogat and other wrestlers, alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president, Sanjay Singh, were making proxy decisions at the Olympics Village regarding Vinesh Phogat. Mehra noted that the WFI’s elected executive committee had been suspended by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2023.

The court was informed that WFI President Sanjay Singh was present at the Olympic Village in Paris and allegedly involved in decisions about Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified for being slightly overweight before her gold medal bout. The wrestlers’ lawyer objected to Singh’s presence, claiming the WFI was being run by proxies.

The Delhi High Court is currently examining a plea from wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, challenging the legitimacy of the WFI elections held on December 21, 2023, which elected Singh as president. The petitioners argue that the elections violated the Sports Code and seek to halt the WFI’s activities related to wrestling.

The Central government counsel has expressed support for Vinesh Phogat amidst the ongoing legal issues. The WFI was suspended by the government in December 2023 due to procedural violations, but the suspension was lifted by United World Wrestling (UWW) in February 2024, leading to the dissolution of the ad hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association to oversee the WFI. The Delhi High Court will continue hearing the case on September 12, 2024.