Delhi High Court denies regular bail to wrestler Sushil Kumar

The Delhi High Court on August 6, 2026 dismissed Olympian Sushil Kumar’s regular bail petition in the case alleging his involvement in the May 2021 killing of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. Justice Purushaindra Kumar cited concerns previously raised by the Supreme Court about the possibility of Mr. Kumar influencing witnesses and about his conduct prior to arrest.

Sushil Kumar was arrested in May 2021 in connection with the incident; his counsel told the High Court he had been in custody for more than five years and that only formal and official witnesses remained to be examined. The Delhi Police and the father of the deceased opposed the bail application during the hearing. The defence also argued that the father of the deceased had not supported the prosecution during his testimony.

The High Court noted that, while bail is ordinarily treated as the rule and detention the exception, the case involved a “premeditated and gruesome assault resulting in death”. The court said the prosecution’s case was supported by the recovery of a firearm, video footage, and substantial material that was yet to be tested during trial.

The defence contention that the deceased’s father had failed to support the prosecution was described by the court as a disputed point of fact. “Whether the deposition of Ashok Dhankad (the deceased’s father) does or does not support the prosecution is, moreover, a matter of appreciation of evidence that must await the outcome by the trial court. It cannot be treated as a change in circumstances sufficient to unlock the door that the Supreme Court closed,” the High Court said.

The court also relied on earlier observations by the Supreme Court about Mr. Kumar’s social standing and influence and on instances when witnesses had allegedly turned hostile during periods of his temporary liberty. Weighing these factors, the High Court concluded: “In these circumstances, this court is 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.”

The High Court’s order leaves the remaining material to be tested at trial and the assessment of witness testimony to the trial court, which will decide the prosecution’s case against Mr. Kumar as the legal process continues.