New Delhi: Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar is a man in demand at Tihar Jail.
The accomplished wrestler, who was arrested last May in connection with a murder case, is working as fitness and wrestling coach for prison inmatesThe Indian Express reported.
Sushil and his associates have been accused of beating up young wrestler Sagar Dhankar at Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi, leading to his death.
According to prison officials, six inmates have joined the fitness classes and train twice or thrice a week.
Prison authorities had planned to involve Sushil in sports and other recreational activities last year itself, but a surge in COVID-19 cases didn’t let that plan materialise. Once daily coronavirus cases came down this year, officials “encouraged” Sushil and others to indulge in wrestling, other sports and activities like painting and singing.
“Around a dozen inmates in Tihar said they want fitness/wrestling coaching from Kumar. This has just started for those who are interested. A batch of 5-6 inmates is learning as of now. We hope more inmates join soon,” a senior official was quoted as saying.
As far as the case is concerned, Delhi Police have filed a chargesheet against the accused. A total of 17 people were arrested in the assault-cum-murder case.