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Synopsis

The Supreme Court on Friday directed Conman Sukesh Chandra Shekhar to be interrogated in Delhi for an FIR registered in Chennai. Shekhar is facing trial in a money laundering case. Sukesh had earlier sought shifting out of Tihar jail alleging a threat to his life.

A bench of Justice UU Lalit, Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said, "Instead of you going there, the machinery can come to Delhi and interrogate you."

The bench was hearing an application stating that an FIR has been registered against Sukesh and he is required to remain present there. The application had sought direction that he may be allowed to appear through Video Conferencing.

The application has been filed in a plea moved by Sukesh for being shifted out of Tihar jail alleging a threat to his life. He is currently under trial for allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). ED has seized a luxurious sea-facing bungalow in Chennai, Rs 82.5 lakh cash, and over a dozen luxury cars in connection with a money laundering case against him.

It is alleged that Sukesh impersonated Law Secretary and Home Secretary to call the judges. He further informed the court that models visited Chandrashekar in jail with the help of authorities, however, action has been taken against them.

Today, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju submitted that "if he goes to Chennai, one more person will be duped."

Background

It is Chandra Shekar’s plea that there is a threat to his life at Tihar as many officials of the jail have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes from him. It has also been alleged by authorities that Chandrashekar bribed Tihar officials to live comfortably in jail.

In 2017, Sukesh was arrested for allegedly duping an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader of ₹2 crores on the pretext of helping him retain the party’s symbol by offering a bribe to Election Commission officers.

According to Hindustan Times, he pulled off a ₹215 crore heist within the prison by duping former Ranbaxy promoter Shivinder Mohan’s wife Aditi Singh, by impersonating Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla on the phone. To date, 34 criminal cases under charges of cheating, extortion, attempt to murder, and bribing public officials, with most pending trial before various Delhi courts.

On June 17, 2022, the Supreme Court, had recorded that it would be appropriate to shift Chandrashekar from Tihar Jail. The court had then asked the center to file a list of jails where he can be shifted. On June 23, 2022, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the Supreme Court that alleged conman Sukash Chandra Shekar can be shifted to Mandoli Jail in Delhi.