Vinesh Phogat gets doping notice over missed test

The International Testing Agency has issued a notice to wrestler and Haryana MLA Vinesh Phogat for missing an out-of-competition doping test in Bengaluru on December 18, 2025, putting her on warning under the whereabouts rule. Phogat has been asked to respond by May 7, and officials said this was her first whereabouts violation in the past year.

According to the notice issued on May 4, the test was scheduled as part of routine anti-doping checks conducted outside competition hours. Such tests are meant to ensure athletes are available at the location they have declared in advance under the anti-doping whereabouts system.

The ITA’s communication says Phogat was not available when testers reached the designated place. For now, she has only received a warning, but a series of three missed tests or filing failures within a 12-month period can lead to a suspension of up to two years.

Phogat has said she was travelling from Bengaluru to Chandigarh on December 18 to attend the winter session of the Haryana Assembly. She also cited new family responsibilities and the recent birth of her child, saying she could not update her location in time because of a busy schedule.

She submitted her reply on January 19, 2026, according to the details available.

The whereabouts rule requires athletes in the testing pool to keep anti-doping agencies informed about where they will be, so they can be contacted for random testing. If an athlete is not found at the declared location, it is treated as a violation even if no banned substance is found.

For wrestlers and other elite athletes, out-of-competition testing is a regular part of the anti-doping framework and can happen at any time.

Phogat’s latest notice comes against the backdrop of a difficult two years in her wrestling career. She last competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where she wrestled three bouts in the 505050 kg category on August 6 before being disqualified ahead of the final after weighing 100100100 grams over the limit.

She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, 2024, but later reversed that decision on December 12, 2025, saying she wanted to target the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The development also follows Phogat’s latest remarks against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a video posted on May 3, she said a Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament is scheduled in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10 to 12, and expressed concern about competing in a place linked to the allegations she has made.

Phogat said her testimony in court is still underway and suggested it would be difficult for her to compete there with full focus. She added that if anything went wrong with any member of her team, the responsibility would lie with the Government of India.

The immediate focus now is on Phogat’s response to the ITA notice by May 7. While the first violation has brought only a warning, the matter could become more serious if additional whereabouts failures are recorded over the year. For now, the case sits at the intersection of sport, anti-doping compliance and Phogat’s active public and political profile.

Supreme Court Revisits Aravalli Hills Definition, Stays Its Own Order

The long‑standing dispute over the Aravalli Hills took a fresh turn as the Supreme Court of India on December 29, 2025, halted the implementation of its earlier order that had redefined the range’s boundaries.

The apex court decided to take suo motu cognizance of potential consequences arising from its November 20, 2025 ruling, which had fixed specific parameters for identifying the Aravalli range.

A new bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice J.K. Maheshwari, and Justice A.G. Masih reviewed the matter, emphasizing the ecological sensitivity of the region spread across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi NCR.

Court Questions Previous Parameters and Raises Environmental Concerns

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government. The bench questioned whether the previous definition—classifying only hills above 100 meters in height and within 500 meters of each other as part of the Aravallis—could lead to exclusion of critical ecosystems from protection.

The Chief Justice asked whether such a narrow interpretation could allow areas vulnerable to illegal mining to fall outside the conservation corridor. “If the distance between two ridges is 700 meters but both are vital to the landscape, can we simply say they are not part of Aravalli?” questioned the bench.

Expert Committee to Be Formed

Acknowledging these ecological and legal complexities, the Supreme Court announced the formation of an expert committee comprising specialists from environmental science, geology, and policy fields. This body will reassess the contours and criteria that define the Aravalli range.

The bench clarified that until the committee submits its report, the November 2025 definition will remain stayed, and no new guidelines will be implemented. The next hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026, where fresh recommendations will be discussed before framing a uniform interpretation.

Mining and Environmental Impact Under Scrutiny

Recent reports highlight the persistent issue of illegal mining across Aravalli regions. Between 2018 and 2025, over 71,000 illegal mining cases were registered in Rajasthan alone, with more than 4,000 FIRs from Aravalli districts. These figures underline ongoing challenges despite existing restrictions.

The court’s latest intervention rekindles the debate over balancing development and conservation in one of India’s oldest mountain ranges. The government has also stated that while new mining leases remain suspended, all active ones must strictly adhere to environmental norms until further direction from the court.

What Lies Ahead

The Supreme Court’s decision brings momentary relief for environmental advocates while setting a precedent for nuanced judicial review. The upcoming hearing in January 2026 will likely shape the future of mining regulations and eco‑protection measures across Aravalli states.

As the matter stands, the Aravalli Hills remain at the center of India’s sustainability conversation—reflecting the delicate balance between industrial progress and natural preservation.