In a significant development in the high-profile murder case of wrestler Sagar Dhankhar, the Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Delhi Police regarding Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar’s bail application. The court has also sought a status report from the police, with the next hearing scheduled for May 4.
Sushil Kumar, a two-time Olympic medalist and one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, has been in judicial custody since his arrest in May 2021 following the brutal killing of junior national champion Sagar Dhankhar at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi. The incident stemmed from a property dispute that escalated into a violent confrontation involving Sushil and his associates attacking Sagar and two of his friends.
The violence unfolded on May 4, 2021, at the stadium’s parking lot, where Sagar, a resident of Rohtak, Haryana, was allegedly beaten to death. His friends Sonu and Amit Kumar were also assaulted. Sushil evaded capture for 18 days, traveling through Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana before being apprehended in Delhi’s Mundka area while attempting to collect cash. He had even borrowed a scooter from a national-level athlete to stay on the run.
The Supreme Court had previously revoked Sushil’s bail in August 2023, directing him to surrender within a week after accepting a special leave petition filed by Sagar’s father. This came after a lower court had initially granted bail, a decision challenged successfully in the apex court by Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra.
Sushil challenged the rejection of his regular bail plea by the Rohini Court on February 6 in the Delhi High Court. In October 2022, an additional sessions judge framed charges against Sushil and 17 others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, rioting, and criminal conspiracy, paving the way for the trial to begin.
As the legal battle continues, the wrestling fraternity remains divided, with Sushil’s illustrious career now overshadowed by this grave allegation. The High Court’s upcoming hearing could prove pivotal in determining whether the celebrated athlete gets relief from prolonged incarceration.