Chhatrasal Stadium Case: Delhi Court Frames Murder Charges Against Wrestler Sushil Kumar

A Delhi Court on Wednesday framed charges against wrestler Sushil Kumar and 17 other accused for the murder of 27-year-old former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar in May 2021.

Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand of Rohini Courts also framed charges under Section 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused for causing injuries to one of the victims, Jai Bhagwan.

"Charges under Section 323 IPC read with Section 34 IPC be also framed for causing injuries to the other victims. As already discussed, the circumstances under which these offences were committed also make a strong case to frame charges u/s 109, 120-B, 142, 148 & 149 IPC. Charges be framed accordingly for the distinct offences," the court said in its 47 pages order.

Sagar, who had been training at the Chhatrasal Stadium, died while two of his friends got injured after they were thrashed by Sushil Kumar and other accused persons.

Finding a prima facie case for murder against the accused, the court noted that the deceased, after being abducted and brought at the stadium, was given severe beatings by many of the accused persons who used danda, baseball and hockey sticks to cause bodily injuries to him.

The judge further noted that the victims were tortured by the accused persons for a prolonged time after putting lock at the main gate of the stadium so as to rule out any help for the deceased.

"It is pertinent to mention here that the prime accused Sushil Kumar had been searching victim Sagar Dhankhad since first meeting at Chhatrasal stadium about 8:00/8:30 p.m. The statements of the victims mentioned the fact that during the whole time he had been telling the victims that he would kill Sagar Dhankar," the court noted.

Taking note of the statements of the victims, post mortem report of the deceased and a mobile clip showing that the Dhankar was 'wreathing on the ground while he was profusely bleeding', the court observed that the intention to cause his death was prima facie made out.

Hence, charge u/s 302 IPC be framed accordingly, the court ordered.

It said "A conjoint reading of the statements alongwith the location chart, medical evidence and other evidences mentioned in the charge-sheet make a strong case of Section 302 IPC for causing murder of Sagar Dhankhad. Section 307 IPC is also attracted for causing injuries to the victim Jai Bhagwan @ Sonu."

Title: State Vs SUSHIL KUMAR ETC.