"Kingpin, Globetrotter, May Jump Bail If Granted": Delhi Police Opposes Wrestler Sushil Kumar's Plea In Chhatrasal Stadium Murder Case

Opposing the bail plea filed by wrestler Sushil Kumar in Chhatrasal Stadium murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar, the Delhi Police has told the Delhi High Court that Kumar is a 'kingpin' and a 'globetrotter' who may jump bail if granted.

As per the status report filed by the Delhi Police, it is clear from the statements of victims and injured as well other Public witnesses recorded during investigation that Sushil Kumar had "conspired" to commit the said offence along with the other accused persons and in fact he was leading the culprits and was the Kingpin.

Sushil Kumar was arrested from Delhi last year. His associate, Ajay Kumar, a physical education teacher at Chhatrasal Stadium, was also arrested from the Mundka area.

The Delhi Police had registered an FIR under sec. 302 (punishment for murder) and sec. 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 365 (abduction), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 34 and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC along with sec. 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.

Reportedly, Sagar, who had been training at the iconic Chhatrasal Stadium, died while two of his friends got injured after they were allegedly assaulted by Sushil Kumar and some other wrestlers on May 4, 2021, at the Stadium premises in Delhi. 

The Delhi Police has also informed the Court that in the one minute video recording found in the mobile phone of a co-accused, Sushil Kumar is seen equipped with a danda in his hand along with other co-accused persons present at the spot.

His associates were having Fire Arms, Dandas, hockey sticks, etc. with them. In the said Video clipping, accused Sushil Kumar is seen beating the victims, the status report states.

"Deceased Sagar Dhankhad was murdered in a very gruesome manner and serious injuries were caused to other injured persons. The victims were abducted from different areas of Delhi and brought to Chhatrasal Stadium for commission of offence in the present case. There are serious allegations against the present accused/applicant Sushil Kumar. The victims and accused persons are of same fraternity/community & locality and there is every possibility that accused may influence victims/witnesses," the status report adds.

The Police have also stated that the location of Sushil Kumar's phone was found to be at all the relevant spots at the relevant time i.e. Shalimar Bagh, Model Town and Chhatrasaal Stadium.

"This is a very serious case in which 18 accused persons have already been arrested, so far. Investigation is still in progress to arrest the remaining accused persons, identified in this case. Accused is a very influential and high profile person. There is every likelihood of his influencing/threatening the witnesses. He is globetrotter and may jump the bail, if granted to him," the status report adds.

Sushil Kumar's bail plea was rejected by Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand after the Court was of the view that prima facie Kumar was visible in the video and that he could be clearly seen to be causing severe injuries to the deceased.

The Court had accepted the Prosecution's argument that when renowned people commit such heinous offence, then its detrimental effects on the society are enormous.

Case Title: Sushil Kumar v. State