Asian Games 2026: Delhi High Court Reserves Verdict On Anush Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela's Challenge To Dressage Team Selection
The Delhi High Court reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from the riders, the Union Government and the Equestrian Federation of India over the challenge to the selection of India's dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games
The Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on appeals filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela challenging their exclusion from India's dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games
The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved its verdict on appeals filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, who have challenged their exclusion from India's dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard extensive arguments from all parties before reserving judgment in the appeals against the June 29 order of a Single Judge, which had upheld the selection process adopted by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
The appeals were argued after the EFI's ad hoc committee declined to accept the Union Government's proposal to appoint an independent expert to evaluate the rankings of the six shortlisted riders.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the EFI's ad hoc committee argued that the "best" riders had already been selected and submitted that the appeals did not constitute "a fair attempt by genuine persons." It was further contended that, once the Single Judge had upheld the selection process, the Union Government could not effectively sit in appeal over that decision by proposing an independent evaluation.
The EFI also argued that permitting such an exercise would amount to external interference in the functioning of a National Sports Federation, which would be impermissible.
The Bench, however, clarified that any independent evaluation, if ordered, would be carried out with the assistance of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and that a nominee of the EFI could also participate in the process. The Court emphasised that such an exercise would not amount to commenting on the quality or correctness of the selections already made.
The counsel for the EFI further alleged that the Union Government was proceeding with a "pre-determined outcome" aimed at favouring one of the appellants. The senior counsel appearing for Agarwalla and Hajela reiterated their willingness to accept the Centre's proposal for an independent evaluation.
After hearing senior counsel for the appellants and submissions from the Union Government, the EFI and other parties, the Bench observed: "Arguments heard. Judgment reserved."
The dispute stems from the June 16 selection list issued by the EFI's ad hoc committee for the dressage event at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Under the selection list, Agarwalla and Hajela were named as the first and second reserve riders, respectively, while four other riders secured places in the Indian team.
What happened in the Delhi High Court previously?
It is to be noted on July 2, the Court had sought the personal presence of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after the Ad-hoc Committee of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) refused to accept the Union government's proposal for an independent evaluation of the rankings of six riders competing for selection to India's dressage team for the upcoming Asian Games.
Notably on June 29, the Court came down heavily on the Ad hoc Executive Committee and the Selection Committee of the EFI, questioning their failure to adhere to the prescribed selection criteria while finalising the Indian Dressage Team for the 20th Asian Games, and had directed the Union of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to assist the Court on how the alleged illegality could now be remedied.
The Bench had expressed serious concern over the fact that the mandatory selection process under Clause 15 had not been followed. The Court indicated that once the selection criteria had been framed, the authorities were expected to adhere to them and could not selectively ignore provisions while finalising the team.
The Bench also took note of the practical complications now confronting the matter. It observed that several horses and riders are presently stationed in different countries, and any fresh selection exercise would also have to account for international quarantine requirements applicable to horses before the Asian Games.
Case Title: Anush Agarwalla v. Ad-hoc Committee for governance of Equestrian Federation of India and Ors.
Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
Hearing Date: July 3, 2026