3 weeks ago
Delhi High Court clears Kashish Malik for 2026 Asian Games
Two taekwondo athletes in India both wanted the same spot on their country's team for a big sports event called the Asian Games.
The spot was for women who compete in the under-57 kg weight class.
The sports ministry first said no to Kashish, so she asked a court for help.
The court said yes on July 1, and Kashish got the spot.
Another athlete named Aranaya was not happy and asked the court to look at the decision again.
She said the judge should compare who is the better athlete.
The judge said a review is only for very big mistakes, not for picking the best fighter.
So the court kept its first decision.
Now Kashish can go to the 2026 Asian Games, and the fight over the last available slot is settled.
The Delhi High Court dismissed Aranaya Thakur's review plea against the July 1 judgment favouring Kashish Malik's candidature for India's women's Under-57 kg Taekwondo event at the 2026 Asian Games.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma held that comparing the sporting credentials of the two athletes was beyond the scope of review jurisdiction.
India Taekwondo had recommended Kashish Malik's name for the event, based on her fulfilling the qualification criteria prescribed by the Asian Taekwondo Union.
Kashish Malik secured third place (bronze) in the qualifying Senior Asian Taekwondo Championship, while Aranaya Thakur secured ninth place; Thakur cited her gold medal in the Open Selection Trials against Malik's bronze.
The court said a review petition cannot be converted into proceedings to decide a controversy that was not the subject matter of the original judgment, and noted authorities had stated no other athlete's name would be sent if Malik's name was not forwarded.
- Who
- Athletes Aranaya Thakur and Kashish Malik, Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, India Taekwondo, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- What
- The Delhi High Court dismissed Aranaya Thakur's review plea challenging the July 1 judgment that favoured Kashish Malik's candidature for the women's Under-57 kg Taekwondo event at the 2026 Asian Games.
- Where
- Delhi High Court, India (selection for the 2026 Asian Games).
- When
- The review was dismissed by an order dated August 11; the original judgment was delivered on July 1, and the Ministry's order rejecting Malik was dated June 23 (the communication recommending Malik was dated July 23, 2026).
- Why
- The court held that comparing the two athletes' credentials was beyond the scope of review jurisdiction, which covers only errors apparent on the face of the record or newly discovered evidence.
Aranaya Thakur's side
Kashish Malik's side / Court position
Selection eligibility
Aranaya Thakur's side
Thakur deserved the slot based on her gold medal in the Open Selection Trials in the same category, her superior performance and ranking, and the relaxation clause under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' selection criteria.
Kashish Malik's side / Court position
Kashish Malik was the only athlete who fulfilled the qualification criteria prescribed by the Asian Taekwondo Union, having secured bronze in the qualifying Senior Asian Taekwondo Championship, while Thakur finished ninth and did not satisfy the eligibility criteria.
Scope of the review
Aranaya Thakur's side
The July 1 judgment prejudicially affected Thakur's competing claim and was rendered without affording her an effective opportunity of hearing.
Kashish Malik's side / Court position
Review jurisdiction is limited to errors apparent on the face of the record or new material; a review cannot be converted into a fresh adjudication comparing two athletes' merits.
Key facts
- Event
- 2026 Asian Games - Women's Under-57 kg Taekwondo
- Recommended athlete
- Kashish Malik (India Taekwondo, communication dated July 23, 2026)
- Review petitioner
- Aranaya Thakur
- Review verdict
- Dismissed (order dated August 11)
- Original judgment
- July 1, ruled in favour of Kashish Malik
- Qualifying Senior Asian Taekwondo Championship
- Kashish Malik - third place (bronze); Aranaya Thakur - ninth place
- Open Selection Trials
- Aranaya Thakur - gold; Kashish Malik - bronze
- Presiding judge
- Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Quotes
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Delhi High Court judge overseeing the case
“"What the review petitioner seeks is a fresh adjudication of her own competing claim by inviting this Court to compare the merits of the two athletes."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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