Chhatrasal Stadium Murder Case: Delhi Court's Witness Protection Committee Orders Protection To All Witnesses Based On Threat Perception

The Witness Protection Committee of the Rohini Court on Monday ordered for providing protection to all the witnesses in the Chhatrasal Stadium murder case leading to death of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankhar wherein wrestler Sushil Kumar is an accused. The decision came on the basis of a threat anaylsis report submitted by the Delhi Police stating that there was a threat perception to the witnesses in the case.

"It is ordered that police protection 24x7 be provided to all the victims/witnesses with immediate effect till further orders." the order reads.

The development came pursuant to the direction of the High Court for constituting the Committee for dealing with the applications of the Delhi Police within one week.

Chaired by the Principal District and Sessions Judge of the Rohini Court, Swarna Kanta Sharma, the Committee has ordered the Delhi Police to provide protection to all the witnesses. Other members of the Committee included DCP North West, Chief Public Prosecutor and Advocate Ajay Pipaniya, counsel for all the witnesses.

Talking to LiveLaw, Advocate Ajay Pipaniya said that the Committee had found merit in the submissions made by the Delhi Police that there was a "threat perception" that accused Sushil Kumar can use his influence in clout.

Furthermore, Pipaniya also stated that the version of the Delhi Police was supported by him and the Committee thereafter recorded no objection in the same.

The Committee has also ordered the counterparts of Delhi Police to coordinate with the Haryana team for providing protection to the witnesses who are residing in Haryana.

Furthermore, it has also been directed that a nodal officer is appointed, having minimum rank of Inspector, to ensure that such witnesses are to be given protection while traveling from Haryana to Delhi and to the Court. Such nodal officer is also directed to coordinate with the witnesses in this regard.

"It is also made clear that whenever the witnesses who are residing in Haryana will travel to Delhi for investigation purpose, it will be the responsibility of the Delhi Police to provide police protection to the witnesses." the order states.

The report of the Committee for thereafter sent to the High Court.

The High Court had last week directed the State to take appropriate steps for providing protection to the witnesses under the Witness protection scheme within one week from the date of the order.

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

"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 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.

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