The Delhi High Court has affirmed the selection of India’s Dressage team for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. Dressage, characterized by a rider and horse executing a series of precise movements, is a notable equestrian event. On Monday, Justice Mini Pushkarna dismissed two petitions filed by equestrian athletes Sudipti Hajela and Anush Agarwalla. Both riders contested the team selection announced on June 16, which relegated them to the reserve list.
The court, after thorough examination, concluded that the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) conducted a fair selection process adhering to the established criteria. Justice Pushkarna stated, “The selection process is not found to be irrational, arbitrary or perverse in any manner by this Court. As per established law, it is beyond the scope of judicial review by this Court, to substitute its judgment for that of the experts in matters concerning selection of sports persons for international sporting events. Accordingly, this Court is not inclined to interfere with the selection made by the Expert Body in terms of the Selection Criteria.”
Anush Agarwalla argued that his performance in the Prix St. Georges event in Hagen, Germany, deserved consideration over his score from Belgium, potentially securing him a spot among the selected team members. He further alleged partiality due to the involvement of a selection committee member with whom he had unresolved disputes. Conversely, Sudipti Hajela disputed the ranking methodology, suggesting that Team Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) should precede Individual MERs in consideration.
Nonetheless, the High Court dismissed these claims, upholding that the EFI correctly applied its criteria by evaluating riders based on their two highest valid MER scores. Moreover, the court dismissed Agarwalla’s bias claim, citing his participation in the selection process without contesting the committee’s structure.
Representing Sudipti Hajela was Senior Advocate Kirtiman Singh, supported by advocates Kritika Gupta, Mohit Kumar Sharma, Maulik Khurana, and Ritwik Saha. Anush Agarwalla was represented by Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, alongside advocates Astha Sharma, Anju Thomas, Mantika Haryani, Pratibha Yadav, and Bhanu Mishra. Advocates Kapil Modi, Rishabh Parikh, and Niyati Kohli appeared on behalf of the Equestrian Federation of India, while Respondent No. 4 was represented by advocates Udit Dedhiya, Apurva Sachdev, Preyansh Gupta, and Varun Malik.
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This ruling underscores the judiciary’s respect for the expertise of sports selection committees and their established processes.
