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Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, today, told the Supreme Court that alleged conman Sukash Chandrashekar can be shifted to Mandoli Jail in Delhi.

The ASG further informed court that Mandoli is secure because it is guarded by central paramilitary forces.

The court was hearing Chandrashekar's plea for being shifted out of Tihar jail alleging a threat to his life. He is currently undertrial, for allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it 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.

Last week, the Supreme Court ordered that it would be appropriate to shift Chandrashekar from Tihar Jail. The court had then asked centre to file a list of jails where he can be shifted.

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

When the matter came up for hearing today, Basant, Senior Advocate, appearing for Chandrashekar argued that this plea is not for bail or quashing.

He informed the court that it is only a petition to shift Chandrashekar to any other jail other than Tihar. Court was further told that jail authorities in Tihar are extorting money from him and assaulting him.

Basant thus asked for Chandrashekar to be transferred to a prison in Bengaluru where majority of the cases against him are being tried.

In response, ASG Raju informed the court that Mandoli jail in Delhi can be considered.

He submitted that the jail is manned by para-military from outside and Tamil Nadu special police force in the premises. Basant objected to this and argued that Chandrashekar should be shifted to any jail outside of Delhi.

The court at this point observed that the prayer in the petition states that Chandrashekar can be shifted to any jail.

"Somebody who is in jail wants a choice? We cannot permit that", further said the top court.

At this point, ASG Raju also told court that Chandrashekar was using jail premises to do illegal activities. “He has also telephoned some judges asking them to pass a favourable order”, ASG added.

A vacation bench of Justices Ravikumar and Sudhandhu Dhulia, on hearing the submissions directed Chandrashekar’s counsel to file a response to ASG’s submissions.

Court has also recorded that, ASG’s statement was without prejudice to the Centre's position on shifting him from Tihar being unwarranted.

The case has now been posted for further consideration on June 30, 2022. 

On the last date of hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had informed the Supreme Court that Chandrashekar 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.

In May 2022, a bench of Justices UU Lalit, Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia refused to grant any interim relief to Chandrashekar. SV Raju, ASG, had undertaken before the bench that he will instruct the prison officials to provide him with adequate security.

Case Title: Sukash Chandra Shekar vs. Union of India