Indian equestrian star and Olympian Anush Agarwalla will move the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition challenging his exclusion from India's main dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games.
Agarwalla had approached the Delhi High Court questioning the selection process adopted by the ad-hoc committee of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), after he was named a reserve rider despite being India's highest-ranked dressage athlete. On Monday, the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea. However, the Arjuna Awardee has decided to continue his legal fight and will now challenge the High Court's verdict before the Supreme Court.
The development has once again brought the spotlight on the selection process for India's equestrian contingent for the 2026 Asian Games.
Why did Anush Agarwalla move court?
The controversy began after the EFI's ad-hoc committee announced the dressage squad for the upcoming Asian Games, naming four riders in the main team while placing Agarwalla among the reserves.
In a statement shared on social media earlier, Agarwalla questioned the criteria used for selection, citing his international rankings and recent performances.
"Today, I stand as India's No. 1-ranked dressage rider, Asia's No. 2-ranked rider, and World No. 14 in the FEI Rankings. I have also achieved the highest PSG scores among all Indian athletes this year. That is why being named a reserve for the upcoming Asian Games comes as a surprise and raises important questions about the criteria being applied in athlete selection," Agarwalla had said.
IG/ Anush Agarwalla He further clarified that while he respects the selected athletes, he believes greater transparency is required in the selection process.
Who is Anush Agarwalla?
Agarwalla is presently ranked World No. 14 and Asia No. 2 in dressage riding, becoming the first Indian rider to participate in the Olympic games held in Paris.
Other accomplishments of his include winning a team gold and individual bronze at the Asian Games, wherein the bronze was the first individual medal India won in the event. Based on his petition, he also holds the highest Prix St. Georges (PSG) score this year among Indian riders.
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Agarwalla also petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and others to reconsider his case.
"My commitment to representing India remains unwavering. I will continue to train, compete and give my absolute best for the nation I am proud to represent. Jai Hind," he had said.
With the Delhi High Court dismissing his petition, the legal battle over India's dressage selection for the 2026 Asian Games is now set to move to the Supreme Court.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Anush Agarwalla moving the Supreme Court?
Anush Agarwalla is moving the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition challenging his exclusion from India's main dressage team for the 2026 Asian Games.
Q2. Why did Anush Agarwalla challenge the Asian Games selection process?
The Olympian questioned the selection criteria after being named a reserve rider despite being India's No. 1-ranked dressage rider, Asia's No. 2-ranked rider and World No. 14 in the FEI rankings.
