Supreme Court Refuses Interim Relief to Dressage Riders, Agrees to Examine Asian Games Selection Process
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant interim relief to two dressage riders who challenged the selection of India’s equestrian team for the 2026 Asian Games, but agreed to examine the broader issue of institutionalising a fair and transparent selection mechanism for the sport. The decision comes after the Delhi High Court had refused to interfere with the selected team despite identifying procedural lapses in the selection process adopted by the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe dismissed the riders’ request for interim relief, observing that any interference at this stage could disrupt India’s preparations for the upcoming continental event. However, the Court made it clear that it would issue notice and examine the larger institutional questions surrounding the selection process to ensure greater transparency and consistency in future selections.
The dispute arose after two riders challenged the Delhi High Court’s judgment upholding the selection of India’s Dressage team for the Asian Games. The High Court had held that the EFI’s Selection Committee evaluated horse-rider combinations in accordance with the prescribed Selection Criteria Version 4.0 and reiterated that judicial review in sports matters is generally confined to examining the fairness of the decision-making process rather than reassessing the merits of expert selections.
At the same time, the Delhi High Court had noted certain procedural shortcomings in the implementation of the selection criteria. While declining to alter the selected team because of the impending deadline for submitting entries to the Asian Games organisers, the Court directed the EFI to strictly adhere to its selection framework in future and ensure complete compliance with the prescribed procedures.
Before the Supreme Court, the petitioners sought urgent intervention, arguing that the alleged irregularities had unfairly deprived them of a place in the national team. The apex court, however, declined to reopen the individual selection dispute, indicating that its focus would instead be on evolving systemic safeguards rather than revisiting the merits of particular athletes’ claims.
The order reflects the Supreme Court’s consistent approach in sports-related disputes—avoiding last-minute disruption of tournament preparations while remaining open to examining structural deficiencies in sports governance. By agreeing to consider the need for an institutionalised and transparent selection mechanism, the Court has signalled that future litigation may focus on strengthening governance standards within national sports federations, even as the selected Indian Dressage team proceeds with its preparations for the 2026 Asian Games.
