Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Olympic Medallist Sushil Kumar in Murder Case, Citing "Gruesome Assault" and Witness Influence Concerns
NEW DELHI – August 9, 2024 – The Delhi High Court has once again refused to grant bail to Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar, who stands accused in the alleged murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. Justice Purushaindra Kumar, in a ruling delivered on August 6, dismissed Kumar’s bail plea, emphasizing concerns about his potential to influence witnesses, his past conduct, the gravity of the alleged offense, and the potential impact on the ongoing trial.
The decision underscores a consistent judicial stance, with multiple courts previously denying bail to the celebrated athlete. The court’s order highlights the "premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death" as a central tenet of the prosecution’s case, a claim supported by the recovery of a firearm, video evidence, and other material yet to undergo full examination during the trial proceedings.
Kumar’s legal team had sought bail on the premise of a "change in circumstances" since his earlier bail was revoked. A key argument presented was that Ashok Dhankad, Sagar’s father whose initial complaint led to the cancellation of Kumar’s prior bail, had reportedly not supported the prosecution’s narrative during the trial. Additionally, the defense pointed out that Kumar has already spent over five years in custody and that only "formal and official witnesses" remain to be examined.
However, the Delhi Police and Dhankar’s father staunchly opposed the bail application. The High Court, in its detailed order, contested the defense’s assertion regarding Ashok Dhankad’s testimony. It notably referenced an earlier Supreme Court decision that had cancelled Kumar’s bail, which had previously acknowledged his significant social standing and potential influence, observing that witnesses had turned hostile during his temporary periods of liberty.
"Whether the deposition of Ashok Dhankad (deceased’s father) does or does not support the prosecution is, moreover, a matter of appreciation of evidence that must await the outcome by the trial court," the High Court stated. "It cannot be treated as a change in circumstances sufficient to unlock the door that the Supreme Court closed."
The court concluded that it was "not persuaded that the petitioner has made out a case either for a genuine change in circumstances within the meaning of the liberty reserved by the Supreme Court, or, independently, for the grant of regular bail."
Sushil Kumar’s legal troubles began with his arrest in May 2021. The journey through the judicial system has seen several twists and turns. A sessions court had initially granted him a week’s interim bail for knee surgery on July 19, 2023. However, this temporary relief was short-lived, as the Supreme Court cancelled his bail on August 13, 2025 (a likely typo, presuming 2023 or 2024 is intended), setting aside a Delhi High Court order. The apex court had then explicitly cited Kumar’s "domineering influence" over witnesses and the potential for delaying trial proceedings as primary concerns.
Prior to that, the Delhi High Court had granted Kumar bail on March 4, 2025 (again, likely a typo), a decision that was subsequently overturned. A trial court, on February 6, had also rejected his bail plea, expressing similar apprehensions that the possibility of him influencing witnesses "cannot be ruled out."
In October 2022, a trial court had formally framed charges against Sushil Kumar. These charges include serious offenses under the Indian Penal Code, such as murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation, and rioting with a deadly weapon. Additionally, charges were framed under the Arms Act. The prosecution’s case, as outlined by the trial court, alleges that Dhankar was abducted and taken to a stadium, where he was subjected to a severe assault by multiple accused individuals using baseball and hockey sticks, ultimately leading to his demise.
The ongoing legal battle continues to draw significant public and media attention, given the high-profile status of the accused and the tragic nature of the alleged crime. The latest High Court ruling reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring a fair trial, free from external influence, and underscores the seriousness with which such grave charges are being considered.
