Asian Games 2026 : Supreme Court To Hear Plea Against Dressage Team Selection Next Week

The Supreme Court today deferred hearing of the pleas related to the Indian Dressage Team selection for Asian Games 2026.

A partial Court working days bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar deferred the matter to July 13, even as counsels for the petitioners raised apprehension that the matter would become infructuous by July 15.

To recap, initially, a Single Bench of the High Court dismissed two writ petitions filed by riders Sudipti Hajela and Anush Agarwalla challenging the selection list issued by EFI's Ad-hoc Committee on June 16, 2026, for the Dressage discipline at the Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Both petitioners had been placed on the reserve list and sought inclusion in the final team.

Aggrieved, the petitioners appealed to a Division Bench, which yesterday refused to interfere with the selection. Although, the bench noted that some of the requirements in the Selection Criteria were not complied with.

"while we do not find any infirmity in the preparation of the list of Probables in terms of Clause 13 of the Selection Criteria, we are of the view that the requirements prescribed under Clauses 15(a) and 15(b) of the Selection Criteria were not duly complied with", it said.

Despite noting the infirmity, the bench said that it was constrained to refrain from interfering with the Selection process as it was logistically impractical to conduct a further competition within the deadline of July 15.

"Having regard to the deadline of 15.07.2026, it is logistically impracticable to conduct a further competition within the time available, particularly since the riders and horses are located at different places across the globe and transporting horses from different locations to a common venue for conducting a competition amongst all six (6) Probables would not be possible in such a short span of time."

Aggrieved, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court.

On July 7, the top Court allowed urgent listing of the matter. However, subsequently, Justice KV Viswanathan recused from hearing the pleas. Thereafter, the cases were listed before Justice Misra-led bench.

Case Title: ANUSH AGARWALLA v. AD-HOC COMMITTEE FOR GOVERNANCE OF EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION OF INDIA, Diary No.39652/2026 (and connected matter)