Delhi HC Seeks Police Response on wrestler Sushil Kumar Bail Plea

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Delhi Police on a fresh bail plea moved by former Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar in the high-profile Sagar Dhankad murder case and has sought a detailed status report on the progress of the trial. 

The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 4. 

Kumar, who has been in judicial custody since his arrest in connection with the fatal May 2021 incident at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium, challenged an earlier order of the Rohini court dated February 6 that rejected his regular bail application. In that hearing, the trial court turned down his plea after considering arguments from his defence, Delhi Police and the complainant’s counsel. 

The murder case stems from a violent clash on May 4-5, 2021, when junior national wrestler Sagar Dhankad and his associates were allegedly assaulted inside the stadium. Dhankad succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack, which police charge-sheeted as a cold-blooded murder with multiple accused, including Kumar. 

Final police submissions in the charge sheet detailed that Dhankad and others were beaten with weapons such as lathis and bats, and that several prosecution witnesses and forensic evidence formed part of the investigation. 

This is not Kumar’s first attempt at securing bail. In March 2025, the Delhi High Court had granted him regular bail on humanitarian grounds and long incarceration, but that order was set aside by the Supreme Court of India in August 2025, which observed concerns about the examination of key material witnesses and the possibility of interference with the trial proceedings. 

Kumar surrendered following the top court’s directive and returned to custody. 

Following the cancellation of his earlier bail, Kumar’s counsel has argued before the High Court that circumstances have “materially changed” since all material prosecution witnesses have now been examined, and that there is no remaining risk of witness tampering or trial obstruction. 

The Delhi Police and prosecution, however, continue to oppose his release, stressing the gravity of the charges and the need for the trial to conclude without prejudice. 

With the High Court now seeking a thorough status update from law enforcement and setting a fresh hearing date, the case remains under close judicial scrutiny as it proceeds toward trial.