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Synopsis

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ), Shivaji Anand, of the Rohini Courts, Delhi, on Friday granted interim bail to Olympic Wrestler Sushil Kuma for two weeks arrested in connection with the killing of a 27-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar, at Chhatrasal Stadium, in May 2021.

The court was hearing a bail application filed by Sushil Kumar sought purely on ‘medical and humanitarian grounds’ for taking care of her ailing wife.

Counsel appearing for Kumar submitted that his wife namely Savi is suffering from lower back pain for a long and that her pain has started affecting the lower limbs as well and she was unable to walk properly without support. It was further contended that her medical condition became worse on November 1, 2022, after she slipped in the washroom and suffered a jerk in her spine due to which she is suffering from unbearable pain in her lower back and hips region.

The plea further stated that after the incident she has not been able to move due to acute lower back pain and complete numbness in the lower limbs. It was also stated that Saavi will have to undergo surgery at Acharya Shree Bhikshu Government Hospital.

The counsel for Kumar contended that there is no one in the family to take care of his wife, and her mother is suffering from arthritis and body ache for a long and is under medication. So, Saavi’s mother will not be able to take care of her. It was further contended that after the surgery she needs a woman who can take care of her and change her clothes etc. and it is only her husband who can give proper care and support during a medical emergency.

Taking note of the medical condition of Kumar’s wife, ASJ Anand ordered him to be released on interim bail till November 12, 2022, on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 1 lakh with two sureties in the like amount.

“Applicant/accused is directed to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent after the expiry of interim bail period i.e. on 13.11.2022. Keeping in view the threat perception of the witnesses and also considering the safety and security of the accused himself at least two security personnel shall be present with him round the clock to keep vigil over the applicant/accused,” the court ordered.

“As deploying two security personnel would incur additional expenditure on the concerned authority, it is directed that amount of Rs.10,000/- per day will be borne by the applicant/accused for the deployment of security persons/policemen for keeping surveillance over the activities of the applicant/accused and also for the security of the applicant/accused. The amount of Rs.10,000/- (Ten Thousand) per day be deposited with the Jail Superintendent concerned in advance,” the court added.

Furthermore, the court directed Kumar not to threaten the prosecution witnesses or tamper with evidence, or indulge in any crime, and warned him that, “In case, it is prima facie brought to the notice of the Court that the applicant/accused is violating the said conditions, the interim bail granted to him shall be liable to be canceled”. Accordingly, the bail application was dismissed.

On October 12, ASJ Shivaji Anand had framed charges under Section 302 IPC (Murder) and other offences against Wrestler Sushil Kumar and 17 others in connection with the killing of a 27-year-old wrestler Sagar Dhankar, at Chhatrasal Stadium, in May 2021.

ASJ Anand, 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.