Wrestler Sushil Kumar applies for gun licence

Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who has been inundated with awards and accolades since he won a silver at this year’s Olympics, now wants to own a gun.

With success comes the sense of insecurity.

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Wrestler Sushil Kumar, who has been inundated with awards and accolades since he won a silver at this year’s Olympics, now wants to own a gun. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee has applied for a gun licence from Delhi police.

Kumar, along with a few friends, visited the licensing unit of the city police in Defence Colony on Wednesday and submitted applications for gun licences.

Sources said Kumar’s brother and two of his friends have also applied for licences.

Kumar, who won his first Olympic medal in 2008, confirmed applying for a gun licence, but denied that the move came after any specific threat.

“Sometimes, we must travel by road in the night to attend events. It is good to have a gun for our safety,” the 29-year-old said. “My brother Manjeet Singh and cousins Padam Dabas and Parvesh have also applied for licences,” he added.

The need for arms was felt after Kumar began getting cash rewards for his achievements, sources said. “We have never felt threatened. We applied for gun licences only to ensure our safety,” a source close to Kumar said.

The sources said the police were going through the applications of Kumar and his associates and were likely to issue the licences soon. “We are usually selective about giving out gun licences,” a police officer said.