The Delhi High Court refused to interfere with top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia’s exemption from Asian Games trials on Saturday.
Justice Subramonium Prasad dismissed the plea filed by Under-20 World Champion Antim Panghal and Under-23 Asian Champion Sujeet Kalkal against Phogat and Punia’s straight entry into the tournament.
“Writ petition is dismissed,” the judge said.
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A detailed copy of the order is awaited.
On Tuesday, the Indian Olympic Association‘s ad-hoc committee granted direct entry to Phogat (53kg) and Punia (65kg) for the Asian Games, while other wrestlers would have to earn their places in the Indian squad through selection trials on July 22 and 23.
On July 19, Panghal and Kalkal filed a petition with the Supreme Court, disputing the exemption and demanding a fair selection procedure for the quadrennial showpiece event.
The suit, filed by advocates Hrishikesh Baruah and Akshay Kumar, sought that the IOA ad-hoc committee’s directive regarding the two categories (men’s freestyle 65kg and women’s 53kg) be overturned and that the exemption granted to Phogat and Punia be reinstated.
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(With inputs from PTI)
