Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Delhi High Court Denies Sushil Kumar Bail in Murder Case
Sushil Kumar is a very famous Indian wrestler who competed in the Olympics.
Another wrestler, Sagar Dhankar, died after being badly hurt inside a wrestling stadium.
The police say Sushil Kumar and other people attacked him with baseball and hockey sticks.
Sushil was arrested in May 2021 and has been in jail since then.
He asked the court to let him out of jail while he waits for his trial.
A special thing called bail lets a person wait for trial outside of jail.
The Delhi High Court said no to his request for bail on August 6.
The judges said the attack was very serious and planned ahead of time.
They also worried that people who saw what happened might be too scared to tell the truth if Sushil was free.
So Sushil Kumar will stay in jail until the trial decides what really happened.
The Delhi High Court rejected Olympian Sushil Kumar's bail plea in the Sagar Dhankar murder case on August 6.
The court cited concerns about witness influence, the gravity of the 'premeditated and gruesome assault,' and Kumar's conduct prior to arrest.
The Supreme Court had previously cancelled Kumar's bail, noting his 'domineering influence' over witnesses and possible trial delays.
Kumar, in custody since his arrest in May 2021, faces charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation, rioting with a deadly weapon and Arms Act offences.
The court dismissed the defence's claim of changed circumstances over the deceased's father's testimony, saying it must await the trial court's assessment.
- Who
- Olympian Sushil Kumar, who faces charges in the death of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar.
- What
- The Delhi High Court dismissed Sushil Kumar's bail application in the murder case, citing witness influence concerns and the seriousness of the alleged offence.
- When
- Bail was denied on August 6; Kumar was arrested in May 2021, and the Supreme Court had cancelled his earlier bail on August 13, 2025.
- Where
- New Delhi, India — the bail plea was heard by the Delhi High Court; Dhankar was assaulted at a stadium after being abducted.
- Why
- The court was not persuaded of a genuine change in circumstances and found the alleged 'premeditated and gruesome assault' too serious, with a risk that Kumar could influence witnesses and the trial's outcome.
Defense (pro-bail) arguments
Prosecution and court objections
Change in circumstances
Defense (pro-bail) arguments
The deceased's father, whose complaint led to the earlier cancellation of bail, has not supported the prosecution's case in the trial, so there is a change in circumstances warranting bail.
Prosecution and court objections
Whether the father's testimony supports the prosecution is disputed and is a matter of evidence appreciation for the trial court; it cannot reopen the door the Supreme Court closed.
Risk of witness influence
Defense (pro-bail) arguments
Kumar has been in custody for over five years and only formal and official witnesses remain to be examined, reducing any risk of influencing the trial.
Prosecution and court objections
The Supreme Court found Kumar has considerable societal standing and influence, and witnesses turned hostile every time he was given temporary liberty.
Length of custody vs gravity of offence
Defense (pro-bail) arguments
Having spent over five years in custody, Kumar is entitled to regular bail, since bail is ordinarily the rule and jail the exception.
Prosecution and court objections
The alleged offence was a 'premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death,' corroborated by a recovered firearm, video evidence and a large body of material still to be tested at trial.
- Accused
- Olympian Sushil Kumar
- Victim
- Former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar
- Court
- Delhi High Court (Justice Purushaindra Kumar)
- Decision
- Bail application dismissed on August 6
- Arrest
- May 2021
- Charges
- Murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation, rioting with a deadly weapon and Arms Act provisions (IPC)
- Earlier ruling
- Supreme Court cancelled bail on August 13, 2025, citing 'domineering influence' over witnesses
- Time in custody
- Over five years at the time of the plea
