Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra says, ‘Bringing In a Top Legal Expert For Vinesh’s Case Is a Big Step Forward’

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, who is also representing several prominent wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and others in the Delhi High Court, on Friday appreciated the government’s decision to involve one of India’s top legal experts in Vinesh Phogat’s case, calling it a significant step.

Speaking about the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing scheduled for Friday, where Vinesh Phogat’s plea against her disqualification will be taken up, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra said, “This is a significant step taken by the government… There is still a sliver of hope that Vinesh might end up getting a silver medal at the Olympics. It was important to have one of the best legal minds in India. Undoubtedly, Harish Salve is one of those. So, it’s a step in the right direction. I wish him the very best.”

He added, “I hope he can uniquely present the case because the precedents and all the rules are stacked against India and Vinesh. All of India, including me, is backing Vinesh and praying to God that somehow there is some magical intervention of the larger forces, and hopefully, we can end up getting a legitimate silver medal for Vinesh, which she has so beautifully fought for.”

Harish Salve, a Senior Advocate, will represent the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the case concerning the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics. Salve’s expertise will be crucial in addressing the legal and procedural aspects of the dispute. The ad hoc hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is scheduled to start later on Friday.

On Thursday, in the Delhi High Court, Vinesh Phogat’s counsel, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and its president, Sanjay Singh, are involved in making proxy decisions about her situation at the Olympic Village. According to Mehra, the WFI’s elected executive committee had been suspended by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2023.

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

The 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 the new president. The petitioners argue that the elections violated the Sports Code and seek to have the WFI cease its activities related to wrestling.

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

(With ANI Inputs)

Also Read: Who Is Harish Salve? Fighting To Get Vinesh Phogat A Silver Medal