The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to interfere with the selection of India’s dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games, holding that although certain provisions of the selection criteria were not fully complied with, directing a fresh selection exercise at this stage would be impracticable given the impending deadline for finalisation of entries.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing appeals filed by Asian Games gold medallist Sudipti Hajela, who challenged the selection of the Indian dressage team by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) for the 2026 Asian Games. The appellants contended that the EFI had failed to adhere to the prescribed selection criteria, particularly Clauses 15(a) and 15(b), while finalising the team.
The Bench observed that there was no infirmity in the preparation of the list of probable riders under Clause 13 of the selection criteria. However, it held that the requirements under Clauses 15(a) and 15(b) had not been fully complied with. Despite this finding, the Court declined to interfere, noting that the deadline of 15 July 2026 made it impossible to conduct a fresh competition. The Bench observed:
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“Accordingly, while we do not find any infirmity with 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 Clause 15(a) and 15(b) of the selection criteria were not fully complied with. Having regard to the deadline of 15-07-26, it is logistically impracticable to conduct a further competition within the time frame 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 probables would not be possible in such a short span of time. Having regard to the particular facts and circumstances of the present case and considering the limited time available before the deadline of 15-07-26, we are constrained to refrain from interfering with the impugned judgment.”
The Bench added that such restraint was necessary in the larger interest of the sport and to avoid any adverse impact on the prospects of the Indian team participating in the dressage event at the Asian Games.
Accordingly, the Division Bench disposed of the appeals without interfering with the impugned judgment. However, it directed the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) to strictly comply with the selection criteria in future, observing that the prescribed procedure must be adhered to henceforth.