Supreme Court Refuses Relief To Dressage Riders, Agrees To Examine Asian Games Selection Process
The Supreme Court refused interim relief to two dressage riders challenging their exclusion from India's 2026 Asian Games squad but agreed to examine the need for institutionalising a transparent sports selection process
The Supreme Court declined interim relief to two dressage riders challenging India's Asian Games team selection while agreeing to examine reforms in the sports selection process
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant interim relief to two dressage riders challenging their exclusion from India's Dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games, while observing that the larger issue before it is the need to institutionalise a transparent and consistent sports selection process rather than adjudicate individual disputes.
The Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe dismissed the interim plea filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, who had challenged the Delhi High Court's refusal to interfere with the Equestrian Federation of India's (EFI) selection despite finding procedural irregularities.
"We are dismissing the matter as far as the interim prayer is concerned. We will issue notice in the pending matter," the Bench said.
At the same time, the Court made it clear that it would not revisit the merits of the riders' individual claims. "The individual cases chapter is closed. All of you are on the same page to assist the Court to see whether this existing thing needs to be institutionalised," the Court observed.
The case concerns the selection of India's Dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games. Dressage is an equestrian discipline in which riders and horses perform a series of predetermined movements before judges.
Previous Hearing
On July 9, Justice K.V. Viswanathan recused himself from hearing appeals challenging the Delhi High Court's refusal to interfere with the selection of India's dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games.
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.
Background of the Case
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.
Notably, on July 7, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the plea filed against selection of India's dressage team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. Before a Supreme Court's partial working days bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu, senior lawyer for the two players made an urgent mentioning.
"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 JB Pardiwala and Alok Aradhe
Hearing Date: July 13, 2026