The Delhi High Court has held that courts cannot interfere with a decision to exclude an athlete from a particular category at the Asian Games when the decision has been objectively taken by the concerned authorities and subject experts.
Justice Amit Mahajan made the observation while dismissing a petition filed by athlete Muskan Rathi challenging the decision of the Indian Kurash Association (TIKA) not to conduct selection trials for the women’s +87 kg category for the 20th Asian Games.
Rathi had sought directions for conducting fair and transparent selection trials in the category, contending that all eligible athletes should be considered on the basis of comparative merit, objective performance criteria and medal-winning potential.
The authorities, however, told the Court that selection trials were conducted for the women’s -57 kg and -78 kg categories, where India had previously secured medals. No international medal had been secured in the +87 kg category in the preceding two years, they submitted.
The Court noted that the authorities had assessed the comparative medal-winning potential of different categories and the likelihood of winning medals before deciding not to send an athlete in the +87 kg category.
Justice Mahajan observed that the decision was based on an objective assessment by the authorities and subject experts and therefore could not be substituted by the Court’s own view.
The Court further held that while exercising jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution, it could not issue a writ of mandamus directing authorities to take a different decision.
The Court also rejected Rathi’s contention concerning the non-participation of candidates selected in the -57 kg category despite their names having been forwarded.
Notably, the 2026 Asian Games commenced on September 19, and the Court observed that no effective relief could be granted to the petitioner at this stage.
The petition was accordingly dismissed.
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