Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, representing prominent wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and Sakshi Malik in the Delhi High Court, commended the government’s decision to involve one of Bharat’s leading legal minds in Vinesh Phogat’s ongoing case.
He described this move as a “significant step” in ensuring a fair representation of Phogat’s interests at the Court of Arbitration for Sports or CAS hearing scheduled for Friday.
Mehra asserted on the importance of having a top legal expert like Harish Salve to navigate the complex legal challenges faced by Phogat, who is challenging her disqualification from the Paris Olympics.
“There is still a glimmer of hope that Vinesh might just end up getting a silver medal at the Olympics,” Mehra remarked, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for Salve’s expertise. “Undoubtedly, Harish Salve is one of the best legal minds in Bharat, and it’s a step in the right direction. I wish him the very best.”
He further expressed his support for Phogat, stating, “All of Bharat, including me, is backing Vinesh and praying for some intervention that could lead to her winning the legitimate silver medal she has so beautifully fought for.”
Harish Salve, a Senior Advocate, has been enlisted to represent the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in this crucial case. His involvement is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing the legal intricacies surrounding Phogat’s disqualification, which occurred due to a minor weight issue before her gold medal bout.
The CAS ad hoc hearing is set to take place later on Friday, and it comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in the Delhi High Court. Mehra, representing Phogat, alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president, Sanjay Singh, have been making proxy decisions regarding Phogat’s situation at the Olympic Village in Paris.
Mehra pointed out that the WFI’s executive committee had been suspended by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2023, and Singh’s presence at the Olympic Village was highly contentious.
The Delhi High Court is currently reviewing a plea from wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, and Sakshi Malik, challenging the legitimacy of the WFI elections held in December 2023, which led to Singh’s election as president. The petitioners argue that these elections violated the Sports Code and are seeking to halt WFI’s activities related to wrestling.
As the legal battle continues, the Delhi High Court is set to hear further arguments in this case on September 12, 2024. The court’s decision will be crucial in determining the future of wrestling governance in Bharat and the fate of Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic aspirations.
