Indians shocked after Sushil Kumar arrested in murder case

Olympic medal-winning wrestler Sushil Kumar (left) and his associate Ajay Kumar after being arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankar in New Delhi. Pic/PTI

There was lingering disbelief and considerable disappointment as the country's sports fraternity came to terms with Sushil Kumar's monumental fall from being one of India's greatest Olympians to an arrestee in a murder case.

The stockily-built man, who used to be wrapped in the Tri-colour after winning medals for the nation, had his face masked by a towel and both hands held by Delhi Police's special cell officers on Sunday after being on the run for past many days. Ironically, all this unfolded on World Wrestling Day.

He was evading a Non-Bailable Warrant for his alleged involvement in the death of a wrestler Sagar Dhankar, 23, during a brawl at the Chhatrasal Stadium, considered the cradle of Indian wrestling, made most famous by Sushil - India's only sportsperson with two individual Olympic medals.

Dhankar was the son of a Delhi Police constable and trained at the stadium before he died on May 5 because of the injuries he sustained in the brawl.

Sushil wanted it filmed

Meanwhile, India Today website reported, citing police sources: "Sushil even told a guy named Prince to make a video of the incident and wanted it to go viral in his community so that nobody else dares to offend the two-time Olympic medalist ever again. Forensic test results have established the presence of Sushil at the incident."

The chain of events has left the Indian sports fraternity shocked even though respect for Sushil's achievements remains intact. Kumar, 37, is to this date, India's only world champion in wrestling and a three-time Commonwealth Games gold-winner.

Don't forget his feats: Viju

"What he has done for Indian sports is something that can never be taken away from him. That's all I want to say at this point. Let things be clearer. I don't want to comment more," boxing star Vijender Singh, who has been to two Olympic Games with Sushil, told PTI. Both Vijender and Sushil won historic bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. Vijender remains India's sole male Olympic medallist in boxing.

Negative impact

Seasoned table tennis player A Sharath Kamal, who is gearing up for his fourth Olympic appearance, conceded that Indian sport's image will take a hit. "If this has actually happened, it is unfortunate and reflects badly on Indian sport, not just wrestling," he said. "He is one of the best athletes we have had. People look up to him. So if he has done what he has done, it will negatively impact not just wrestlers but athletes from other sports also."

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