The Delhi High Court has refused to grant regular bail to Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar in the alleged murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar, citing concerns over witness influence, the gravity of the offence and the wrestler’s conduct before his arrest.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar dismissed Kumar’s bail application on August 6, holding that he had failed to demonstrate a genuine change in circumstances since the Supreme Court cancelled his earlier bail.
The court also noted that the case involves what it described as a “premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death”, with a firearm recovery, video evidence and substantial material still to be tested during the trial.
Court Rejects Change In Circumstances
Kumar’s counsel argued that circumstances had changed since his earlier bail was cancelled.
The defence pointed out that the father of the deceased, whose complaint had played a role in the earlier cancellation of bail, had allegedly not supported the prosecution’s case during the trial.
The defence also highlighted that Kumar has been in custody for more than five years and argued that only formal and official witnesses remained to be examined.
Delhi Police and Dhankar’s father opposed the bail plea.
The High Court, however, rejected the argument that the father’s testimony amounted to a sufficient change in circumstances.
“Whether the deposition of Ashok Dhankad (deceased’s father) does or does not support the prosecution is, moreover, a matter of appreciation of evidence that must await the outcome by the trial court,” the court said.
It added that the testimony could not be treated as a change in circumstances sufficient to override the Supreme Court’s earlier decision.
Supreme Court Had Flagged Witness Concerns
The High Court relied heavily on the Supreme Court’s observations while cancelling Kumar’s earlier bail.
The Supreme Court had held in August 2025 that Kumar’s “domineering influence” over witnesses and the possibility of delays to the trial proceedings could not be ruled out.
The High Court noted that Kumar’s social standing and influence had been considered significant factors, particularly because witnesses had allegedly turned hostile when he was granted temporary liberty.
“In these circumstances, this court is not persuaded that the petitioner has made out a case either for a genuine change in circumstances within the meaning of the liberty reserved by the Supreme Court, or, independently, for the grant of regular bail,” the High Court concluded.
Kumar Arrested In 2021
Kumar was arrested in May 2021 in connection with Dhankar’s death at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium.
A sessions court later granted him interim bail for a week in July 2023 to undergo knee surgery.
The Delhi High Court granted him bail on March 4, 2025, but the Supreme Court subsequently overturned that order on August 13, 2025.
Earlier, a trial court had also rejected Kumar’s bail application, observing that the possibility of him influencing witnesses could not be ruled out.
Charges Include Murder, Conspiracy
The trial court framed charges against Kumar in October 2022 under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and rioting with a deadly weapon.
Charges were also framed under the Arms Act.
According to the prosecution case, Dhankar was allegedly abducted and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, where he was severely assaulted by several accused persons using baseball and hockey sticks.
The Delhi High Court’s latest order means Kumar will continue to remain in custody while the trial proceeds.
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