Delhi HC refuses to grant bail to wrestler Sushil Kumar
The Delhi High Court has denied bail to wrestler Sushil Kumar, who is accused of the 2021 murder of a junior wrestler. The court cited the severity of the crime and the potential for the accused to influence witnesses.
Why it matters
The case is high-profile due to the athlete's fame and raises questions about judicial discretion regarding bail in serious criminal cases.
The Delhi High Court has rejected the regular bail plea of Olympian Sushil Kumar in connection with the alleged murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar in May 2021.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar dismissed the bail application on August 6, 2026 taking into account concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding the possibility of Mr. Kumar influencing witnesses, his conduct before his arrest, the seriousness of the alleged offence, and his potential to affect the ongoing trial.
The court noted that although bail is generally considered the rule and incarceration an exception, the present case involved a “premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death”. It observed that the prosecution’s case was supported by the recovery of a firearm, video footage, and substantial material that was yet to be tested during trial.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in