MOST DECORATED...

While Rana died the following day, his friends were injured. It is believed that Rana himself was abducted from his residence in Model Town and brought to the stadium. A clash between the two groups followed , and Rana was beaten up badly. There have been reports that suggest that Rana was targeted for badmouthing Kumar and that shots were fired during the clash. Kumar has been absconding since and the Delhi Police has announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for any information that leads to his arrest. It is believed he may have left Delhi for Haridwar and then Rishikesh.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the accused, told the court that Sonu, present during the brawl, is a history sheeter and is a member of a gang headed by Kala Jatheria.

Sandeep alias Kala Jatheri is an alleged gangster from Haryana’s Sonepat. Jatheri had escaped from the custody of the Haryana Police in Faridabad after his seven accomplices waylaid the prison van in which Jatheri was being escorted from Faridabad court to Bhondsi jail on February 1 last year.

“These people, who I am up against, are criminal-minded people and I will suffer at their hands,” Luthra told the court on behalf of Sushil Kumar. In his plea, Kumar claimed that the investigation against him is biased.

Luthra also said Kumar has no connection with the alleged firing that took place during the brawl, adding that neither the gun nor the vehicle found at the place of the incident belong to his client.

The lawyer added that Kumar is willing to join the investigation and assist the investigating agency to provide a “true and correct picture of the incident”.

Additional public prosecutor Atul Srivastava, appearing for the police, told the court that there is electronic evidence showing Kumar assaulting the deceased with a stick.he also said that his passport has been taken away by the police with an apprehension that he may flee the country.

Investigating Officer (IO) inspector Dinesh Kumar submitted that Sushil Kumar’s custodial interrogation is required to unearth the chain of conspiracy.

“He is the main accused in the whole incident who has played a key role in the commission of offence. Data retrieved by FSL (forensic science laboratory) experts confirms his active role in commission of crime,” the officer told the court.