A Delhi Court on Wednesday framed charges against wrestler Sushil Kumar and 17 other accused for
the murder of 27-year-old former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar in May 2021.
Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand of Rohini Courts also framed charges under Section 307 and 34
of the Indian Penal Code against the accused for causing injuries to one of the victims, Jai Bhagwan.
“Charges under Section 323 IPC read with Section 34 IPC be also framed for causing injuries to the other
victims. As already discussed, the circumstances under which these offences were committed also make
a strong case to frame charges u/s 109, 120-B, 142, 148 & 149 IPC. Charges be framed accordingly for
the distinct offences,” the court said in its 47 pages order.
Sagar, who had been training at the Chhatrasal Stadium, died while two of his friends got injured after
they were thrashed by Sushil Kumar and other accused persons.
Finding a prima facie case for murder against the accused, the court noted that the deceased, after
being abducted and brought at the stadium, was given severe beatings by many of the accused persons
who used danda, baseball and hockey sticks to cause bodily injuries to him.
The judge further noted that the victims were tortured by the accused persons for a prolonged time
after putting lock at the main gate of the stadium so as to rule out any help for the deceased.
Taking note of the statements of the victims, post mortem report of the deceased and a mobile clip
showing that the Dhankar was ‘wreathing on the ground while he was profusely bleeding’, the court
observed that the intention to cause his death was prima facie made out.
Source: Live Law
