New Delhi, Aug 11: The Delhi High Court has rejected the regular bail plea of Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar in the case relating to the alleged murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar at Chhatrasal Stadium.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar dismissed Kumar’s bail application on August 6, citing the seriousness of the allegations, concerns over possible influence on witnesses and the Supreme Court’s earlier observations regarding his conduct and societal influence.
The court noted that the case involved an alleged premeditated assault that resulted in death. It also referred to material including the recovery of a firearm and video evidence, while observing that substantial evidence was yet to be tested during the trial.Kumar’s counsel had sought bail on the ground that circumstances had changed since the Supreme Court previously cancelled his bail.
The defence pointed to the accused’s prolonged custody of more than five years and argued that the father of the deceased had not supported the prosecution’s case in his testimony.The Delhi Police and Dhankar’s father opposed the bail plea.
The High Court, however, said the interpretation of the deceased’s father’s testimony was disputed and that assessing whether his evidence supports the prosecution is ultimately a matter for the trial court.The court also referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier finding that Kumar’s public standing and influence could potentially affect witnesses. It noted that concerns regarding witnesses turning hostile had been raised when Kumar was previously granted temporary liberty.
The High Court concluded that the arguments presented did not establish a sufficient change in circumstances to justify reopening the issue of bail.Kumar was arrested in May 2021 in connection with the case. He was subsequently granted interim bail for a week in July 2023 to undergo knee surgery.
In August 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled an earlier bail order granted to Kumar by the Delhi High Court, observing that the possibility of his influence over witnesses or delay in the trial could not be ruled out.The Delhi High Court had granted him bail in March 2025, while a trial court had earlier rejected his bail application in February that year.The trial court framed charges against Kumar in October 2022 under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to murder, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and rioting with a deadly weapon.
Charges were also framed under the Arms Act.According to the prosecution case, Dhankar was allegedly abducted and taken to the Chhatrasal Stadium, where he was severely assaulted by several accused persons using sticks, including baseball bats and hockey sticks.
With the latest order, Kumar will continue to remain in custody as the trial proceeds.The allegations against Kumar remain subject to judicial determination, and the trial court will ultimately decide the merits of the prosecution case.
