India’s top-ranked dressage rider and Olympian Anush Agarwalla has secured an early hearing in the Supreme Court after challenging his exclusion from India’s main dressage squad for the 2026 Asian Games.
A Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu on Tuesday agreed to hear the matter on July 9, after counsel appearing for Agarwalla and fellow rider Sudipti Hajela sought an urgent listing, citing the approaching deadline for finalising the Indian squad.
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According to the submissions made before the court, the final selection for the Asian Games team is scheduled to be completed by July 15, prompting the petitioners to seek an expedited hearing.
Petition follows Delhi High Court setback
Agarwalla and Hajela had earlier approached the Delhi High Court after they were excluded from India’s four-member main dressage squad for the 2026 Asian Games. While Agarwalla was named the first reserve rider, Hajela was listed as the second reserve by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
The riders alleged irregularities in the selection process and argued that the prescribed selection criteria had not been properly followed.
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Earlier this week, the Delhi High Court dismissed their plea. While the Division Bench observed that it found no fault in the preparation of the list of probable athletes, it noted that certain provisions of the selection policy had not been fully adhered to.
The High Court, however, declined to order fresh trials, observing that doing so at this stage would not be practical given the July 15 selection deadline and the logistical challenges involved in bringing together horses and riders from different countries. The court also observed that reopening the selection process could adversely affect India’s preparations for the Asian Games.
Anush Agarwalla seek place in main squad
Both Agarwalla and Hajela were members of India’s gold medal-winning dressage team at the 2022 Asian Games. Agarwalla also scripted history in Hangzhou by becoming the first Indian equestrian to win an individual Asian Games medal after claiming bronze in dressage.
The petitioners have maintained that they were unfairly left out of the main squad despite their performances and have sought judicial intervention before the final team is announced.
The Supreme Court is now expected to hear the matter on July 9, with the outcome likely to have a bearing on India’s final dressage squad for the continental event.
FAQs
Why is Anush Agarwalla in the Supreme Court?
Anush Agarwalla has challenged his exclusion from India’s main dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition.
When will the Supreme Court hear Anush Agarwalla’s plea?
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for hearing on July 9, ahead of the July 15 deadline for finalising India’s Asian Games dressage squad.
