The forensic lab report (FLR) in the Sagar Dhankar murder case, involving former Olympic champion Sushil Kumar as an accused, has been received, police informed the Rohini district court.
It will be used in form of a supplementary charge sheet. It had been pending for more than a year. Apart from Kumar, the FIR names 17 others as accused.
On 8th September, the investigation officer (IO) informed the court that the FLR and sanction under arms act have been pending for more than a year. In its 30th September order, court ordered IO to do the same at the earliest.
While allowing the early hearing application, the Court observed, “Almost one year has gone by but neither the FSL nor Sanction u/s 39 Arms Act has been filed on record”. The court also stated that there were 18 defendants in the case and that arguments on charges could take a long time. It advised that at least arguments on charge be heard prior to the submission of the sanction/FSL report.
The Counsel for accused Ajay Kumar submitted that the case is pending at the stage of arguments on charge since 20th October , 2021. The non-filing of FSL and non-framing of charges in the case have been causing grave prejudice to the accused persons, and the same is depriving the accused persons of their right to a speedy trial.
It was also submitted by the additional public prosecutor that since the FSL report was not submitted, arguments on charge should not be conducted.
The obtainment of the FSL report will speed up the trial process. This case is related to the alleged murder of junior national champion wrestler Sagar Dhankar in the Chhatrasal Stadium on the night of May 4, 2021, over a property dispute. Sagar and his friend were allegedly beaten by the accused persons, including Sushil Kumar. Sagar later succumbed to the injuries.