The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Olympic medalist wrestler Sushil Kumar in the murder case of junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula granted bail to the Olympic medalist on a bond of Rs 50,000, along with two sureties of the same amount.
Appearing for Kumar, Advocates RS Malik and Sumeet Shokeen argued that the petitioner has remained in custody for three-and-a-half years. They further said that out of 186 prosecution witnesses, only 30 had been examined in the last three years, indicating a slow pace of trial proceedings.
The wrestler has remained in judicial custody since June 2, 2021. Dhankar was allegedly beaten in Chhatrasal Stadium on May 4, 2021. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Earlier in July 2023, a Delhi court had granted interim bail on medical grounds to Kumar for seven days.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sushil Kumar of Rohini District Court granted him interim relief on the grounds that Kumar had a torn ligament near his right knee and required surgery. The court permitted his release from July 23 to July 30 on a personal bond of Rs one lakh and two sureties of the same amount.
Considering security concerns, the court mandated round-the-clock surveillance by two security personnel at Kumar’s expense. It also prohibited him from threatening witnesses or tampering with evidence. The judge said violating these conditions could result in cancellation of bail.