The Delhi High Court has refused to grant fresh bail to two-time Olympic medallist and wrestler Sushil Kumar in the murder case arising from the death of fellow wrestler Sagar Dhankar.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav observed that the case concerns an alleged premeditated and brutal assault that resulted in death, while noting that substantial evidence is still to be assessed during the trial.
The Court also took into account earlier concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding Kumar’s conduct before his arrest and the possibility of his influence affecting the proceedings.
The High Court found that there had been no significant change in circumstances since the Supreme Court had earlier cancelled Kumar’s bail. It consequently held that he had not established grounds either for reconsideration of bail on the basis of changed circumstances or for regular bail under the applicable provisions of criminal procedure.
The fresh bail application was therefore dismissed.
Kumar had earlier been denied bail by the trial court in February 2026 in connection with Dhankar’s death. The case relates to a late-night altercation at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium in 2021, during which Dhankar sustained fatal injuries.
Kumar was arrested in May 2021 and has been named as a principal accused in the case, which includes allegations of murder and criminal conspiracy. The prosecution case relates to a dispute that allegedly preceded the confrontation.
The wrestler had previously secured bail from the Delhi High Court, but the Supreme Court later cancelled that relief, citing concerns surrounding the possibility of influencing witnesses and the need to preserve the fairness of the trial.
In the latest plea, Kumar argued that circumstances had changed because the examination of all public witnesses had been completed. The prosecution and Dhankar’s family opposed the request.
The High Court, however, was not convinced that the completion of those examinations was sufficient to justify another grant of bail.
With the latest order, Kumar will continue to remain in custody as the trial proceeds.
