Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The hopes of over a billion Indians now rest on the shoulders of renowned lawyer Harish Salve, who has taken up the case of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Phogat, a leading contender in the 50-kg wrestling category, was disqualified from the Paris Olympics just hours before the final due to a weight issue.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has filed an appeal seeking a joint silver medal for Phogat in recognition of her stellar performance at the event. Salve, a former Solicitor General of India and King’s Counsel, has been engaged by the IOA to represent Phogat in this crucial legal battle.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, established in 1984, is an international body tasked with settling sports disputes through arbitration. Salve’s involvement in this high-stakes case is expected to be a significant boost to Phogat’s chances of a favorable outcome.
Harish Salve is one of India’s top legal minds, known for his expertise in constitutional, commercial, and arbitration law. Here’s a look at some of the notable cases he has successfully argued:
- Kulbhushan Jadhav Case (2017): Salve represented India at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national sentenced to death in Pakistan. He successfully secured a stay on Jadhav’s execution.
- Ratan Tata vs Cyrus Mistry (2016): Salve represented industrialist Ratan Tata in the legal battle against Cyrus Mistry.
- Vodafone Tax Dispute (2012): Salve achieved a landmark victory for Vodafone in a high-profile tax dispute with the Indian government.
- 2G Spectrum Scam (2012): He appeared for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the 2G spectrum allocation case.
- Sahara Group vs SEBI (2012): Salve represented the Sahara Group in its legal dispute with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
In the wake of her disqualification, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling on Thursday. In an emotional post on social media platform X, Phogat expressed her sense of defeat and gratitude, stating, “Maa kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost. Forgive me, your dream and my courage have been broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will always be indebted to you all for forgiveness.”
As Salve prepares to present Phogat’s case, the nation watches closely, hoping for a reversal of the disqualification and a fitting end to Phogat’s remarkable career.
