Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Olympic Medalist Sushil Kumar in Sagar Dhankar Murder Case

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, denied bail to two-time Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, who is the prime accused in the murder case of junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, presiding over the case, underscored that it was a matter involving a "premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death" and emphasized that substantial material still awaits scrutiny during the trial.

This decision marks another setback for the decorated wrestler, who has been in custody since May 2021 following the tragic incident at the Chhatrasal Stadium. His legal team had sought fresh bail, arguing a change in circumstances, particularly that all public witnesses had been examined. However, the court was not persuaded, reiterating concerns previously raised by the Supreme Court regarding Kumar's potential to influence witnesses and the trial's outcome, given his high public standing.

Sagar Dhankar Murder Case Background

The case dates back to the intervening night of May 4-5, 2021, when a brawl allegedly orchestrated by Sushil Kumar and his associates at the Chhatrasal Stadium's parking area led to the fatal assault of 23-year-old Sagar Dhankar. Two of Dhankar's friends, Sonu and Amit Kumar, also sustained injuries in the incident. Police investigations and subsequent charge sheets have pointed to a property dispute as the underlying motive, with allegations that Kumar sought to re-establish his dominance among younger wrestlers.

Kumar, who turned 43 on May 26 this year, was arrested on May 23, 2021, after being on the run for nearly three weeks. He faces severe charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, rioting, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and various sections under the Arms Act.

Previous Legal Rulings

This is not the first time Kumar's bail application has been heard at various judicial levels. He was previously granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2025, but this relief was subsequently cancelled by the Supreme Court in August 2025. The apex court had then expressed strong reservations about the possibility of witness intimidation and interference with a fair trial, while also granting Kumar the liberty to file a fresh bail application if a genuine change in circumstances arose.

In his latest plea, Kumar's counsel contended that the examination of all public witnesses constituted a material change. However, both the Delhi Police and legal representatives for Dhankar's family vigorously opposed this, arguing that the apprehension weighing on the Supreme Court's decision remained valid. The High Court observed that the claims regarding Sagar's father, Ashok Dhankar, not supporting the prosecution were disputed and that the appreciation of evidence must await the trial court's outcome.

Justice Kaurav explicitly stated that the court was "not persuaded that the petitioner has made out a case either for a genuine change in circumstances within the meaning of the liberty reserved by the Supreme Court, or, independently, for the grant of regular bail on the ordinary parameters". The court's decision ensures that the two-time Olympic medallist will remain in judicial custody as the trial proceeds in the high-profile murder case.

The denial of bail underscores the judiciary's firm stance on the gravity of the charges and the need to ensure an unhindered trial process in a case that has shocked the sporting fraternity and the nation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 07:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).