Why Did the SC Cancel the Bail of Wrestler Sushil Kumar in a Murder Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court cancels Sushil Kumar's bail.
- Kumar must surrender within a week.
- Charges include murder and conspiracy.
- High-profile case highlights legal accountability.
- Implications for the sports community are significant.
New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Wednesday revoked the bail of Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar, who is a key suspect in the murder case of junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar, directing him to surrender within a week.
A panel of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra granted the special leave petition (SLP) lodged by Dhankar’s father, contesting a Delhi High Court decision that had previously provided bail to Sushil Kumar.
Sushil Kumar, along with accomplices, is charged with allegedly attacking the former junior national wrestling champion Dhankar, a resident of Rohtak, Haryana, and his two friends, Sonu and Amit Kumar, in the parking lot of Chhatrasal stadium on May 4, 2021, over an alleged property dispute.
He has been in judicial custody since June 2, 2021, until the Delhi High Court permitted his bail in March of this year.
Sushil Kumar was apprehended after evading authorities for 18 days following Dhankar's death.
Delhi Police officials reported that Kumar had traveled through Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana during the 18-day-long pursuit.
He was ultimately arrested in the Mundka area of Delhi, where he had gone to collect cash and had borrowed a scooty from a national-level athlete.
Post-arrest, he was also suspended from his position in the railways.
In October 2022, a trial court in Delhi had initiated charges against Sushil Kumar and 17 others, paving the way for their trial. Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand framed charges against Sushil Kumar and the other accused under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those concerning murder, rioting, and criminal conspiracy.
The charge sheet submitted by the Delhi Police identifies Sushil Kumar as the mastermind of the murder conspiracy.
Sushil Kumar had previously earned a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.