Chhatrasal Stadium Murder Case: Delhi High Court Directs Delhi Police To Provide Protection To Witness Under Witness Protection Scheme

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to provide protection to a witness in the Chhatrasal Stadium Murder case leading to death of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar wherein wrestler Sushil Kumar and his associate Ajay Kumar are accused.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait directed thus:

"I hereby make it clear that if the petitioner gives some address of Delhi, Delhi Police is directed to provide protection till his application under the Witness Protection Scheme is decided by the competent authority."

The Court was dealing with a petition filed by one of the witnesses seeking protection under the Witness Protection Scheme for himself and his family in connection with the FIR registered in the case.

The Delhi Police had registered an FIR under sec. 302 (punishment for murder) and sec. 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 365, 325, 323, 341,506, 188, 269, 34 and 120B 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, at the Chhatrasal Stadium premises in Delhi.

While disposing of the plea, the Court directed the State to take appropriate steps for providing protection to the petitioner under the said scheme within one week from the date of the order.

"At this stage, without going into the controversy, I hereby direct the respondent/State to take steps under the Witness Protection Scheme 2018 within one week from today before the competent authority and competent authority is directed to decide the same within one week thereafter." The Court directed.

Turning down the plea of the Delhi Police seeking three days further police custody remand for Sushil Kumar and Ajay Kumar in the murder case, a Delhi Court on Wednesday sent the duo to judicial custody.

The development came after the duo was remanded to further four days police custody in connection with the case. The Court had earlier sent the two to 6 days police custody on May 23 after hearing Delhi Police's Plea seeking 12 days police custody remand of both the accused persons.

Title: Amit Kumar v. State

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