Supreme Court Transfers Sukesh Chandrashekhar And His Wife Leena Paulose From Tihar Jail To Mandoli Jail In Delhi
The Supreme Court today directed shifting of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife Leena Paulose from Tihar Jail to Mandoli Jail in Delhi within a period of one week.
The Bench comprising of Justice U. U. Lalit, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia held that, "in terms of the statement by the ED on 23rd June, we are of the view that the petitioner be shifted to Mandoli. The petitioner shall be transferred within a week."
The Court had also noted in its order that the Respondents have already taken action against the jail officials who were found colluding with Sukesh Chandrashekhar and helping him. The Court observed that it is not for the Court to look into that matter but for the authorities to decide.
Senior Advocate R. Basant appearing for Sukesh Chandrashekhar had objected to such a transfer and asked, "Will it be fair to shift him to a place which is under the control of the same administration?" The argument was not accepted by the Court and asked for the list of names of people were involved with Sukesh Chandrashekhar in handing out the money to the officials.
Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju appeared for the Enforcement Directorate apprised the Court that there is no real threat against Sukesh.
The Court had on the last hearing allowed the Enforcement Directorate and the Delhi Police to produce Sukesh Chandrashekhar before a court in Tamil Nadu through Video Conferencing
The Supreme Court on an earlier date of hearing asked Senior Advocate R. Basant, counsel for Sukesh Chandrashekhar to submit a list of names of people who had been involved with Sukesh Chandrashekhar in handing out the money to the officials. Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju had submitted before the Court that a chit had been unearthed where Sukesh had sent a message stating that once he is transferred to Bengaluru prison he would con 40 times more than he is able to from Tihar prison.
The Supreme Court was previously apprised by S. V. Raju that the Mandoli prison had been zeroed in on by the Government as the prison to which Sukesh Chandrashekhar can be transferred. The Bench then passed an order recording the submission of the ASG suggesting Mandoli prison for the transfer of Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The Court had asked R. Basant to file objection to the suggestion.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar had moved the Supreme Court seeking to be transferred from Tihar Jail to some other prison on the ground that he is being harassed and tortured by the prison authorities and there is a threat to his life if he stays lodged in that prison.
Earlier, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had submitted that Sukesh had called many dignitaries and duped them into sending him money by impersonating judicial officers. Mehta had also told the Court that action has been taken against some officers for permitting some visitors and that guards from the State of Tamil Nadu have been deployed.
