In a major development in the high-profile Chhatrasal Stadium murder case, the Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the bail granted to wrestler and two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. The decision came after an appeal was filed by Ashok Dhankar, father of the deceased former junior wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar, challenging the Delhi High Court’s March 4 order that had allowed Kumar to walk free.
A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra passed the order, directing Kumar to surrender within one week. The apex court took note of allegations made by the victim’s father that the Olympian had threatened a key witness in the case.
Sushil Kumar, one of the prime accused in the assault and murder of Sagar Dhankar on May 4, 2021, at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, was arrested later that month after an 18-day manhunt spanning Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi Police eventually apprehended him in the capital’s Mundka area on May 23, 2021.
The Delhi High Court had granted Kumar bail earlier this year, citing delays in the trial. By March 2024, only 30 of the 186 prosecution witnesses had been examined, which the court noted while allowing his release. However, the Supreme Court’s order has now overturned that decision, five months later.
Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani represented Sushil Kumar, while Siddharth Mridul appeared for the complainant, Ashok Dhankar.
According to the chargesheet filed by Delhi Police, Kumar was described as the “kingpin” of the conspiracy. Along with 17 others, he faces charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, criminal conspiracy, rioting, kidnapping, and robbery. The incident led to the death of Sagar Dhankar due to cerebral damage caused by force, while two of his friends were injured in the assault.
With the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Kumar now faces imminent return to custody as the trial in the sensational case continues.
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