Delhi High Court has granted bail to renowned wrestler and two-time Olympic medallist, Sushil Kumar, who has been implicated in the murder case of fellow wrestler Sagar Dhankar. This decision comes after Kumar had been in judicial custody since May 2021, marking a pivotal moment in the protracted legal proceedings.
Sushil Kumar, celebrated for his achievements at the Beijing and London Olympics, was arrested on May 23, 2021, in connection with the alleged murder of 23-year-old Sagar Dhankar. The incident, which occurred within the premises of Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, sent shockwaves through the sporting fraternity. The Delhi Police, in their charge sheet, have accused Kumar of orchestrating the assault on Dhankar, purportedly to reassert his dominance in the wrestling community. The prosecution has alleged that Kumar’s ego was bruised by rumors regarding his diminishing influence, prompting him to take drastic measures to re-establish his authority among younger athletes.
Following his arrest, Kumar’s bail applications were consistently denied by lower courts, leading to his prolonged incarceration. However, in a recent turn of events, the Delhi High Court has approved his release on bail. The court’s decision was influenced by several factors, including the extended duration of Kumar’s custody, which has spanned approximately three and a half years, and the sluggish pace of the trial proceedings. Notably, out of the 222 witnesses listed by the prosecution, only 31 have been examined to date, indicating a protracted timeline for the trial’s conclusion.
Presiding over the bail hearing, Justice Sanjeev Narula mandated Kumar’s release upon furnishing a bail bond of ₹50,000, accompanied by two sureties of the same amount. The court acknowledged the improbability of the trial reaching a conclusion in the near future, given the current rate of witness examination. This acknowledgment played a crucial role in the decision to grant bail, as the extended pre-trial detention raised concerns about the infringement of the accused’s right to a speedy trial.
Kumar’s legal representatives have consistently refuted the allegations leveled against him, asserting his innocence. In his petition before the High Court, Kumar emphasized the lack of direct evidence linking him to the crime and highlighted that a key witness had failed to identify him during the proceedings. Furthermore, his counsel underscored that the court had already framed charges against him and examined material witnesses, suggesting that his continued detention was unwarranted.
The incident in question transpired on the night of May 4, 2021, at the Chhatrasal Stadium, a prominent wrestling training facility in Delhi. According to the charge sheet filed by the Delhi Police, a violent altercation broke out between two groups, one allegedly led by Sushil Kumar and the other comprising Sagar Dhankar and his associates. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a property dispute and escalating tensions over Kumar’s perceived waning influence in the wrestling circuit. The altercation resulted in severe injuries to Dhankar, who succumbed to his injuries the following day, leading to charges of murder, abduction, and criminal conspiracy against Kumar and his co-accused.
The prosecution has presented video evidence purportedly showing Kumar and his associates assaulting Dhankar and his companions. This footage, retrieved from the mobile phone of an individual present at the scene, has undergone forensic examination to verify its authenticity. The forensic report confirmed that the video had not been tampered with, bolstering the prosecution’s case. Additionally, the charge sheet details statements from witnesses who allege that Kumar orchestrated the attack to send a message to the wrestling community about his enduring authority.
Despite these allegations, Kumar’s defense team has challenged the prosecution’s narrative, questioning the credibility of the evidence and witnesses presented. They argue that the case against Kumar is built on conjecture and lacks substantive proof of his direct involvement in Dhankar’s death. The defense has also raised concerns about the potential for bias and the influence of external factors on the investigation.
The High Court’s decision to grant bail does not equate to an acquittal but allows Kumar to be released from custody while the trial continues. The court has likely imposed specific conditions to ensure that Kumar does not interfere with the ongoing proceedings or pose a flight risk. These conditions may include restrictions on his movement, regular reporting to a designated authority, and a prohibition on contacting witnesses or tampering with evidence. Violation of these conditions could result in the revocation of bail and re-arrest.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Kumar’s stature in Indian sports and the grave nature of the allegations. Sushil Kumar is one of India’s most decorated wrestlers, having earned a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics. His achievements have been a source of national pride, making the charges against him all the more shocking to the public and the sporting community.
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The wrestling fraternity has expressed a mix of disbelief and disappointment over the incident. Many have called for a fair and impartial trial to ensure justice for Sagar Dhankar while also preserving the integrity of the sport. The case has sparked discussions about the pressures faced by athletes, issues of mentorship and rivalry, and the potential for conflicts arising from personal disputes spilling over into professional domains.
As the trial progresses, the focus will remain on the judicial process to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.
