Top court cancels Olympian Sushil Kumar’s bail in murder case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cancelled the bail of Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar in a 2021 murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar at the Chhatrasal Stadium here. It further ordered him to surrender within a week.

The order came from a Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra on a petition filed by the victim's father, Ashok Dhankar, challenging the Delhi High Court’s March 4 order granting bail to the Olympian.

The Bench, however, said, “It shall be open for the accused to apply afresh for bail, with a change in circumstances, before the appropriate court to be decided on its own merits.”

Noting that of the 35 witnesses examined, 28 had turned hostile, the Bench set aside the high court’s order, saying, “This pattern underscores the possibility of interference into the trial by the accused.”

“Undoubtedly, the accused is a celebrated wrestler and an Olympian who has represented the nation at the international level. It cannot be doubted that he carries societal impact. In such circumstances, it cannot be said he would have no domineering influence over witnesses or delay the proceedings of the trial," the Bench said.

"Needless to add that allegations of pressuring the witnesses have been made before the order granting bail was passed. Certain witnesses had, in writing, lodged complaints, apprehending threats to their lives at the behest of the accused,” it said.

The Delhi Government had submitted that the accused was granted temporary bail on five occasions and the visible pattern was that prosecution witnesses be it for whatever reason — influence or threat — had turned hostile.

Sushil and others are accused of fatally assaulting Dhankar and injuring his two friends in May 2021 over a property dispute. It noted the allegations in the FIR were that the national capital was made into a "criminal playground" to settle scores with no regard for the law of the land. The trial court framed charges, including that of murder, under the IPC against Kumar aside from the Arms Act, among other provisions, in October 2022.

Noting Sushil remained absconding and evaded arrest after the incident and was eventually arrested on May 23, 2021, the Bench said, "This court must also be cognisant of the seriousness of the allegations against the accused."