Delhi High Court denies bail to wrestler Sushil Kumar

The Story in Brief

The Delhi High Court has rejected Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar’s regular bail plea in the murder case of former junior national champion Sagar Dhankar. Justice Purushaindra Kumar dismissed the application on August 11, citing a “premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death.” The court noted that the prosecution’s case is supported by a recovered firearm, video evidence, and substantial material yet to be tested at trial. It also relied on Supreme Court observations that Kumar had influence over witnesses, who allegedly turned hostile when he was granted temporary liberty.

Kumar’s counsel argued that he has been in custody for over five years and that only formal witnesses remain. The defence also claimed that the deceased’s father, whose complaint led to an earlier bail cancellation, did not support the prosecution during testimony. However, the High Court held that assessing that testimony is for the trial court, not a ground for bail now. The court concluded that no genuine change in circumstances existed to open the door that the Supreme Court had closed.