Delhi HC to Hear Leena Paulose’s Plea for Private TB Treatment on August 13

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, said it would hear the plea filed by actor Leena Paulose, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, seeking medical treatment at a hospital of her choice, on 13 August.

Paulose, who is currently in judicial custody in a money laundering case, has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

Justice Arun Monga today heard arguments by advocates Anant Singh Maik and Paul John Edison on behalf of Leena Paulose, and by senior counsel Sanjay Jain, along with prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh for the State.

The counsel for Paulose said that the bail application was being agitated on two grounds, delay in trial and parity with co-accused persons. He argued that the main hawala operator, who allegedly transferred large sums of money, has already been granted bail.

"Subhash Chandrashekhar was in judicial custody and was in touch with a woman named Pinky Irani, who even met him inside jail and facilitated all sorts of activities. Pinky has been enlarged on bail. Avtar Singh Kochhar, the main hawala operator, is alleged to have transferred ₹237 crores. He routed the funds and without him the entire operation could not have taken place. I am merely a beneficiary at best," he submitted.

The counsel further argued, "There is another accused, Jacqueline Fernandez. Her role is identical to mine. In her case, money was transferred yet MCOCA has not been invoked. I continue to languish in custody despite facing lesser allegations."

He added, "Secondly, the jail report confirms my medical condition. I am seeking treatment at a private hospital. Why is that being opposed?"

In response, the state submitted, "She refused OPD treatment. She insists on going to a particular hospital. The way this syndicate operates is through phone calls. Mr Chandrashekhar, even while in jail, uses technology. Suppose I receive a call, it may reflect a number from the Home Ministry or another important official. That person then impersonates the Home Secretary of a ministry. If he was able to convince someone of that stature, clearly the modus operandi involves spoofed numbers and high-level impersonation. Then why is she refusing AIIMS?"

The state added, "People come to us and say find some solution, get us an appointment in AIIMS."

Hearing this, the court remarked, "AIIMS would have been a reasonable way out, but she is not agreeable." 

"I have been in custody for so long. I developed this ailment while inside. All I am seeking is proper treatment," the counsel for Paulose submitted.

On the court's query regarding the delay in trial, the state submitted, "The trial court has already indicated that arguments on the charge will commence on a day-to-day basis starting from August 1, 2025.

On 26 June, the high court had issued notice on a plea filed by actor Leena Paulose,  seeking medical treatment at a hospital of her choice.

In her plea, she has sought directions to avail in-custody private medical treatment and diagnosis at a hospital of her choice, contending that adequate treatment is not feasible within the jail premises.

Earlier in September 2021, Paulose was arrested concerning a Rs 200 crore extortion case registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police against her.

Sukesh Chandersekhar orchestrated an entire scam using spoof calls. He impersonated senior government officials, defrauding and extorting a significant sum of Rs 200 crore. During a probe, the ED searched the residence of Leena Paulose in Chennai on August 16, 2021, suspecting that it would contain records relating to money laundering and proceeds of crime, leading to a total recovery of 16 luxury and high-end cars.

Case Title: Leena Paulose v. State NCT of Delhi

Date: July 30, 2025

Bench: Justice Arun Monga