The Northern Railway has suspended Olympian medalist Sushil Kumar from service following his arrest by the Delhi Police in wrestler Sagar Dhankar's murder case.

Sushil has charges of murder, abduction and criminal conspiracy against his name and the wrestler could also lose his Padma Shri title because of the case.

Sushil was arrested, along with his associate and co-accused Ajay, from outer Delhi’s Mundka area on May 23 for his alleged involvement in the death of a 23-year-old wrestler at Chhatrasal Stadium.

A senior commercial manager with the Northern Railway, Kumar had been on deputation with the Delhi government since 2015 and was posted as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Chhatrasal Stadium for development of sports at school level.

His deputation was extended in 2020 and Kumar had applied for an extension for 2021 as well which had been rejected by the Delhi government and he was sent back to his parent cadre — Northern Railway.

According to Northern Railway, a case against Sushil Kumar, (Adhoc)JAG/ IRTS, on premature repatriation to Northern Railway from NDMC, in respect of a criminal offence is under investigation.

He was detained in police custody on 23 May, 2021 for a period exceeding 48 hours.

Now, therefore Sushil Kumar, JAG/ (Adhoc) IRTS, is deemed to have been suspended with effect from the date of detention i.e. 23 May, 2021 in terms of Rule 5 (2) of (D&A) Rules, 1968, and shall remain under suspension until further orders, Northern Railways said in a statement.

Railways maintains that if a government servant is found involved in grievous crimes, he or she is usually suspended till the case is underway.