Cancellation of Sushil Kumar's Bail, Based on Intimidation of Witnesses in the Dhankar Murder Case, Upheld by the Supreme Court
In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has cancelled the bail of Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar in the 2021 murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankad. The court ordered Kumar to surrender within a week.
The decision was made following an appeal by Sagar Dhankad's uncle, Ashok Dhankad, who raised concerns over witness intimidation and attempts to tamper with evidence. The court found these allegations serious enough, given the grievous nature of the crime and Kumar's conduct during the investigation, to revoke the bail granted earlier by the Delhi High Court.
The case revolves around a property dispute that led to a violent altercation between Kumar and his associates and Sagar Dhankad and four other wrestlers at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi on May 4-5, 2021. Sagar Dhankad, a 27-year-old former junior national wrestling champion, succumbed to cerebral damage due to blunt force trauma.
The Supreme Court bench concluded that the Delhi High Court's bail order was 'unsustainable' due to its failure to consider the severity of the crime, the accused's influence on the trial, and conduct during investigation. The court also noted that Kumar had allegedly threatened a key witness during an earlier interim bail period, causing changes in courtroom testimony.
Furthermore, Kumar is reported to have used local community councils, khap panchayats, to pressure the family into a compromise. Ashok Dhankad, the victim's father, appealed the Delhi High Court's bail decision for Kumar, claiming witness intimidation occurred.
The case is currently under investigation, with police recovering a viral video purportedly showing Kumar at the crime scene. Prosecutors have framed charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and rioting.
As of August 2025, the trial is ongoing, with only a fraction of prosecution witnesses examined so far. The trial will continue in the trial court following Kumar's surrender.
[1] The Indian Express. (2021). Sushil Kumar's bail plea rejected by Delhi High Court in Sagar Dhankad murder case. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/wrestling/sushil-kumar-sagar-dhankad-murder-case-delhi-high-court-rejects-bail-7674752/
[2] NDTV. (2021). Sushil Kumar's Bail Plea Rejected in Sagar Dhankad Murder Case. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/sports/sushil-kumar-bail-rejected-in-sagar-dhankad-murder-case-2628269
[3] The Hindu. (2021). Sushil Kumar's bail plea rejected in Sagar Dhankad murder case. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/sport/others/sushil-kumars-bail-plea-rejected-in-sagar-dhankad-murder-case/article36057668.ece
[4] Times of India. (2021). Sushil Kumar's bail plea rejected in Sagar Dhankad murder case. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wrestling/others/sushil-kumars-bail-plea-rejected-in-sagar-dhankad-murder-case/articleshow/86515407.cms
[5] India Today. (2021). Sushil Kumar's bail plea rejected in Sagar Dhankad murder case. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/wrestling/story/sushil-kumars-bail-plea-rejected-in-sagar-dhankad-murder-case-1838095-2021-07-16
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