News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/9th August 2024
Renowned Indian lawyer Harish Salve has taken on a crucial role in representing wrestler Vinesh Phogat as she appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following her unexpected disqualification at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to advance to an Olympic final, faced a shocking setback just before her final bout due to being 100 grams overweight.
Phogat’s disqualification not only thwarted her chance at a gold medal but also dashed her hopes of securing any podium finish. Now, she has filed an appeal with CAS, seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal for her performance. The court accepted her plea on Thursday, and Salve is set to present the case on Friday at 1:30 pm.
Harish Salve, a legal luminary known for his extensive work with high-profile clients, will be advocating for Phogat. Salve, who has represented corporate giants such as Reliance Industries, Tata Group, and ITC Limited, is taking this case on behalf of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). His reputation in the legal field is marked by numerous landmark cases and a distinguished career that includes serving as the Solicitor General of India from 1999 to 2002.
Salve’s most notable cases include defending Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court, for which he famously charged only ₹1, gaining national acclaim. His client roster also features major corporate entities and notable legal victories, such as the landmark ₹1,100 crore tax case for Vodafone against the Indian government in 2012. Salve has also made significant contributions to high-stakes legal battles, including the Krishna Godavari Basin gas dispute and the Bhopal gas tragedy case.
In addition to his corporate and high-profile legal work, Salve defended Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case, leading to Khan’s acquittal. His career extends to international legal spheres as well, including representing the Union government in the Supreme Court over the contentious Cauvery water dispute and being appointed as Queen’s Counsel for Wales and England in January 2023.
Phogat’s journey to the Olympic final was marked by historic victories, including defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki, the reigning world and Olympic champion, and securing a 5-0 win over Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman in the semi-final. Her disqualification for being slightly overweight turned a triumphant moment into a disappointment, leading her to announce her retirement from wrestling.
Despite this, Phogat has not given up on her quest for justice and has sought to have her disqualification overturned by appealing for a joint silver medal. The outcome of Salve’s representation will be crucial in determining if Phogat can be recognized for her exceptional performance at the Paris Games.
As Phogat awaits the decision, the involvement of such a prominent legal figure as Harish Salve brings hope to her supporters and adds a significant layer to the ongoing legal battle.
