The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to the Delhi Police and the family of deceased wrestler Sagar Dhankar on a fresh bail plea filed by Olympian Sushil Kumar in the murder case, while observing that the Supreme Court had already cancelled the bail earlier granted to him.
Justice Anup J. Bhambhani directed the Delhi Police to file a status report and the complainant’s side to submit a detailed reply. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 4.
During the hearing, the court remarked on the earlier order of the Supreme Court cancelling Kumar’s bail.
“I think you are being ambitious. Once the Supreme Court has taken a view, what do you expect from me?” the judge said.
Counsel for the accused argued that the bail plea deserved consideration as all public witnesses had already been examined during trial.
However, the Delhi Police and counsel for the deceased’s kin opposed the plea, submitting that all public witnesses were yet to be examined.
Taking note of the rival submissions, the court directed filing of a status report and reply before the next date of hearing.
Sushil Kumar was arrested in May 2021 in connection with the murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar at Chhatrasal Stadium.
According to the prosecution case, Dhankar was abducted, brought to the stadium and severely assaulted by several accused persons using baseball and hockey sticks.
In October 2022, the trial court framed charges against Kumar under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to murder, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and rioting with deadly weapons, along with offences under the Arms Act.
A sessions court had granted Kumar interim bail for a week in July 2023 for knee surgery.
The Delhi High Court later granted him regular bail, which was set aside by the Supreme Court on August 13, 2025. The top court had observed that his “domineering influence” over witnesses and the possibility of delay in trial proceedings could not be ruled out.
Subsequently, on February 6 this year, a trial court rejected Kumar’s bail plea, holding that the possibility of the accused influencing witnesses “cannot be ruled out”.
The High Court will consider the matter after receiving the status report and replies from the parties.
