Olympic Medalist Sushil Kumar Granted Bail in Sagar Dhankar Murder Case After 3.5 Years in Custody

In a major development in the high-profile Sagar Dhankar murder case, the Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to wrestler Sushil Kumar after spending more than three and a half years in custody.

Justice Sanjeev Narula approved the bail on a bond of ₹50,000, with two sureties of the same amount. The ruling comes as a relief to the decorated Olympian, who has been at the center of a prolonged legal battle.

The Case That Shocked the Nation

Sushil Kumar, India’s two-time Olympic medalist, was arrested in connection with the murder of junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar, a case that sent shockwaves through the sporting community. Dhankar was allegedly assaulted at Chhatrasal Stadium on May 4, 2021, and later succumbed to his injuries. The case involved multiple victims who were reportedly attacked that night, with Dhankar’s death being the focal point of the investigation.

Kumar, along with other accused individuals, has been facing trial for his alleged role in the crime. However, with the legal process stretching over three years, his defense team argued that the delay in witness examinations warranted bail.

Legal Arguments and Court\'s Ruling

Kumar’s legal representatives, advocates R.S. Malik and Sumeet Shokeen, contended that their client had already spent an extensive period in custody, exceeding three and a half years. They further pointed out that only 30 out of 186 prosecution witnesses had been examined in the past three years, raising concerns over the sluggish pace of the trial.

Taking these arguments into account, the Delhi High Court granted Kumar bail, though the detailed order is yet to be uploaded. This marks the second time Kumar has received temporary relief; he was previously granted interim bail for seven days in July 2023 for knee surgery.

From Olympic Glory to Legal Battles

Sushil Kumar\'s name was once synonymous with India’s wrestling dominance on the global stage. The grappler became a household name after clinching a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and following it up with a historic silver at the 2012 London Olympics. His achievements made him one of the country’s most celebrated athletes.

However, his career took a drastic turn when he was implicated in the murder case. The accusations stunned his fans and cast a shadow over his illustrious sporting legacy.