Delhi Court Rejects Sushil Kumar's Bail Plea in 2021 Murder Case
A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar in the 2021 murder case of junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. Additional Sessions Judge Sushil Kumar emphasized the "seriousness of the allegations" against the accused, noting that the Supreme Court had previously cancelled his bail plea last year.
Court Cites Grave Charges and Witness Influence Risks
The judge observed that the charges against Kumar are grave and that "many other material witnesses are yet to be examined." The court highlighted that the "possibility of influencing such material witnesses by the accused cannot be ruled out." This assessment played a crucial role in the decision to deny bail.
The court relied heavily on the testimony of prosecution witness Jai Bhagwan, who initially identified the accused and provided a detailed, "frame by frame" narration of the incident. Although Bhagwan later turned hostile during cross-examination, the judge held that the "facts deposed by him could not be overlooked." Additionally, the court considered video footage purportedly showing Kumar assaulting injured individuals with deadly weapons.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
Kumar's defense counsel argued that he has been in judicial custody since May 2021 and is falsely implicated. They emphasized his status as a "wrestler of international repute with impeccable credentials," including being an Olympic silver medalist. The defense maintained that Kumar has cooperated with the investigation, is not a flight risk, and that no "fruitful purpose" would be served by extending his custody, especially given the lengthy trial involving 222 witnesses.
In opposition, the prosecution, led by advocate Joshini Tuli, stressed the "serious nature" of the allegations. They argued that Kumar had previously "misused his liberty" by influencing a witness who later turned hostile, reinforcing concerns about potential witness tampering.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred in 2021 at Chhatrasal Stadium, where Sagar Dhankar was assaulted with baseball and hockey sticks, allegedly over a property dispute. Kumar and several others are accused of attacking Dhankar and his two friends, Sonu and Amit Kumar. Dhankar succumbed to his injuries, leading to murder charges.
Kumar was arrested in 2021 and has remained in custody since, except for a brief period in July 2023 when he was granted interim bail for knee surgery. In October 2022, the trial court framed charges under sections related to murder, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation, rioting with deadly weapons, and offences under the Arms Act.
In March last year, the Delhi High Court granted regular bail to Kumar, but this order was later set aside by the Supreme Court, underscoring the judicial scrutiny in this high-profile case.
