Supreme Court Cancels Bail Of Olympian Wrestler Sushil Kumar In Murder Case, Directs Surrender In A Week

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 13) cancelled the bail granted by the Delhi High Court to Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar in the Sagar Dhankhar murder case.

The Court directed him to surrender within a week.

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra passed the order in an appeal filed by Ashok Dhankad, the father of victim Sagar, challenging the order passed by the Delhi High Court in March this year granting bail to Sushil Kumar.

Kumar was arrested in May 2021 in relation to the case of murder of 27-year-old former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar at the Chhatrasal stadium in Delhi. The High Court, while granting bail, noted that only 30 of the 186 prosecution witnesses have been examined in the three years since the trial began.

Ashok Dhankad approached the Supreme Court challenging the bail raising allegations regarding intimidation of witnesses. It was contended that when Kumar was earlier released on interim bail, he had threatened a key witness. 

The Supreme Court held that the the High Court errored by not considering the grievous nature of the crime, the possibility of influencing the trial by the Accused and the conduct of the accused during investigation. It noted that the accused remained absconding after the FIR was registered. All allegations are shocking and serious.

The Court also took note of the influence the accused weilded due to his celebrity status.

"the Accused is a celebrated wrestler and an Olympian, who has represented the nation at the international level. It cannot be doubted that he carries societal impact. In such circumstances, it cannot be said that he would have no domineering influence over witnesses or delay the proceedings of trial. Needless to add that allegations of pressurizing the witnesses have been made, before the order granting bail was passed. Certain witnesses had, in writing lodged complaints, apprehending threat to their lives at the behest of the Accused," the Court observed.

While ordering the surrender of Sushil Kumar before the trial court within a week, the Court reserved his liberty to file fresh application for bail on the ground of change of circumstances.

Case : ASHOK DHANKAD Versus STATE NCT OF DELHI AND ANR | SLP(Crl) No. 5370/2025

Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 797

Click here to read the judgment