Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Olympian Sushil Kumar in Murder Case

In a significant legal decision, the Delhi High Court has denied bail to Olympian Sushil Kumar, who is implicated in the murder of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. The court's ruling, delivered by Justice Purushaindra Kumar, emphasized the serious nature of the crime and concerns regarding potential witness tampering. Despite arguments from Kumar's defense regarding changes in circumstances, the court upheld the previous Supreme Court findings that highlighted Kumar's societal influence. This case continues to unfold as it raises questions about justice and accountability in high-profile cases.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 12, 2026, 07:23 IST

Bail Application Rejected by Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has denied bail to Sushil Kumar, the Olympian, in connection with the murder case of Sagar Dhankar, a former junior national wrestling champion.

On August 6, Justice Purushaindra Kumar dismissed Kumar's request for bail, highlighting concerns about potential witness tampering, as previously noted by the Supreme Court when it revoked his earlier bail. The judge also considered Kumar's behavior before his arrest, the severity of the crime, and his ability to sway the ongoing trial.

The judge pointed out that while bail is generally favored, this case involved a 'premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death.' This assertion is supported by the recovery of a firearm, video evidence, and a substantial amount of material that remains to be examined during the trial.

In his plea for bail, Kumar's attorney argued that the father of the deceased, whose complaint led to the cancellation of bail, has not backed the prosecution's claims during the trial.

The defense contended that the 'change in circumstances,' coupled with Kumar's five-year custody and the fact that only formal witnesses remain to be examined, justified his request for regular bail.

However, both the Delhi Police and Dhankar's father opposed the bail plea. The court noted that the assertion regarding the father's testimony being unsupportive of the prosecution was contested.

Additionally, the court referenced the Supreme Court's earlier decision to cancel bail, which was based on the finding that Kumar held significant societal influence, leading to witnesses becoming hostile whenever he was granted temporary release.