[Chhatrasal Stadium Murder case] Delhi Court directs DCP to ensure safety & security of witnesses during next hearing

A Delhi Court has recently directed the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) to depute sufficient police officials to secure the safety of witnesses as well as public persons on the next date of hearing in the matter related to the killing of a 27-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar, at Chhatrasal Stadium, in May 2021.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shivaji Anand of Rohini District Court also directed the Incharge of the Vulnerable Witness Room to make necessary arrangements on February 20 at 12 noon for the recording of evidence.

"Incharge of Vulnerable Witness Room is also directed to make the necessary arrangements on 20.02.2023 at 12:00 Noon for the recording of evidence", the ASJ ordered.

During the hearing, the Sub-inspector (SI) Sandeep in-charge Police Post Rohini Courts had prayed that in the present matter, evidence be conducted at the Vulnerable Witness Room for security purposes as it was very difficult to produce all the accused persons together in the courtroom during the recording of evidence due to lack of police personal.

He had also submitted that additional deployment of police officials will also be required on the next date of hearing to secure the safety of the witnesses as well as public persons.

Taking note of his submissions, the ASJ said, “In view of the submissions of Incharge Police Post Rohini, concerned DCP Rohini is directed to depute sufficient police officials on the next date of hearing in consultation with Incharge Police Post Rohini Court.”

The judge also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the concerned DCP as well as the In-charge of the Vulnerable Witness Room for compliance.

It is to be noted, that in the present matter, on October 12, ASJ Shivaji Anand had framed charges under Section 302 IPC (Murder) and other offences against Wrestler Sushil Kumar, Prince, Ajay Kumar, Mohit, Manjeet, Gulab, Bhupender, Rohit Malik, Bijender, Anirudh Dahiya, Subhash, Gaurav Loura, Surjeet Grewal, Anil Dhiman, Praveen Dabas, Praveen, Rahul, and Parveen Dabas in connection with the killing of a 27-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar, at Chhatrasal Stadium, in May 2021.

ASJ Anand, had also framed charges under IPC Sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 120-B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 142 (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), and 149 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon) (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of the offence committed in prosecution of common object).

Case Title: State v. Sushil Kumar Etc.

Statue: The Indian Penal Code