Supreme Court to hear plea against dressage team selection for Asian Games on July 9
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea challenging the Delhi High Court's refusal to intervene in the selection of India's dressage team for the upcoming Asian Games. The case, filed by riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela, is scheduled to be heard on July 9.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu agreed to list the matter after the petitioners' counsel pointed out that the final team selection process is set to conclude by July 15. The court directed that the matter be placed before the appropriate bench.
The two riders, who were part of India's gold medal-winning dressage team at the 2022 Asian Games, challenged the Equestrian Federation of India's (EFI) decision to name them as first and second reserve riders instead of including them in the main squad.
On July 6, the Delhi High Court upheld an earlier single-judge order refusing to interfere with the selection process. While the court observed that the EFI had not fully complied with certain selection criteria, it ruled that conducting fresh trials was impractical given the limited time before the Games and the logistical challenges of bringing horses and riders together from different locations.
The High Court directed the EFI to strictly follow its selection norms in future but declined to alter the current team in the interest of maintaining India's preparations for the continental event.
The Asian Games 2026 will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
