Victim’s father Ashok Dhankar challenged the Delhi HC order, alleging Kumar had threatened a key witness during interim bail.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, August 13 – The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the bail granted by the Delhi High Court to Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar in the 2021 murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar, directing him to surrender within a week.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra delivered the order while hearing an appeal filed by Ashok Dhankad, the father of the deceased wrestler, who had challenged the Delhi High Court’s March 2024 order granting Kumar regular bail.
Kumar, a two-time Olympic medallist and one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, was arrested in May 2021 in connection with the death of 27-year-old Sagar Dhankhar. The incident occurred on the night of May 4, 2021, at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, where a brawl allegedly involving Kumar and several associates left Dhankhar fatally injured. The case shocked the sporting fraternity and drew widespread public attention, given Kumar’s stature in Indian sports.
The Supreme Court has cancelled the bail of wrestler Sushil Kumar in a murder case and has ordered him to surrender within a week.
The Olympic medallist had been booked in the murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankad and was granted bail by the Delhi High Court. pic.twitter.com/Ww1ZIfBwSE
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2025
Background of the Case
The Delhi Police have alleged that the fight was linked to a property and personal dispute between the two wrestlers. Kumar has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. The police claim that Kumar was the “kingpin” behind the assault, with CCTV footage and witness statements placing him at the scene.
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The Delhi High Court had granted bail in March 2024, noting that only 30 of the 186 prosecution witnesses had been examined in the three years since the trial began, and observing that prolonged incarceration without trial completion could violate the accused’s rights.
However, Dhankhar’s father approached the Supreme Court, alleging that Kumar posed a threat to the integrity of the trial. Senior counsel for the petitioner argued that during a previous period of interim bail, Kumar had allegedly intimidated a key witness. This, they contended, justified revoking his bail to safeguard the judicial process and protect witnesses.
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The Supreme Court has directed Kumar to surrender within seven days. The trial in the case is still ongoing in a Delhi court, with over 150 witnesses yet to be examined.
The decision is likely to reignite debate over delays in high-profile criminal trials, the balance between personal liberty and witness safety, and the role of celebrity status in influencing legal proceedings.
