Asian Games 2026: Justice KV Viswanathan Recuses From Hearing Dressage Team Selection Pleas In Supreme Court

The appeals have been filed by Asian Games gold medal-winning riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, who are challenging the Delhi High Court's decision declining to interfere with the selection process adopted by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appeared on behalf of Agarwalla and Hajela. 

Following Justice Viswanathan's recusal, the appeals were urgently mentioned before Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah by Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, who sought an early listing in view of the impending deadline relating to the Indian contingent for the Asian Games.

Considering the urgency, Justice Amanullah directed that the matter be listed tomorrow, i.e.July 10 and ordered that it be placed high on the board.

The challenge arises from the Delhi High Court's refusal to interfere with the selection of India's dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games, despite observing that the Equestrian Federation of India had not strictly complied with certain clauses of its own selection criteria. The High Court, however, declined to order fresh selection trials, citing logistical constraints and the proximity of the July 15 deadline for finalising the Indian squad.

Agarwalla and Hajela, both members of India's gold medal-winning dressage contingent at the 2022 Asian Games, had challenged the June 16 selection list issued by the EFI's ad hoc committee after being named only as first and second reserve riders, respectively. While dismissing the appeals, the Bench observed that it did not find any infirmity in the preparation of the list of six probable riders. However, it noted that the EFI had failed to strictly comply with certain provisions of its own selection criteria. Despite these observations, the Court held that ordering a fresh selection exercise at this stage was neither feasible nor in the larger interest of Indian sport. The Bench noted that the deadline for finalising entries was July 15, 2026, making it impossible to organise fresh selection trials.

"It's my favourite sport," said Justice Amanullah while agreeing to list the petition.

What happened in the Delhi High Court previously?

On July 3, the High Court had reserved orders in the plea. 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: Sudipti Hajela v. Equestrian Federation of India and connected matter 

Bench: Justices KV Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe

Hearing Date: July 9, 2026