1 week ago
Sukesh Chandrasekhar Convicted for Posing as Supreme Court Judge
A Delhi court found Sukesh Chandrasekhar guilty of pretending to be a Supreme Court judge.
The case began with phone calls made in April 2017, when he was in police custody.
The prosecution said he used a police constable’s phone to call the judge handling his corruption case.
One caller allegedly pretended to be the judge’s secretary, and another allegedly pretended to be the judge.
They reportedly asked the judge to release Chandrasekhar on bail quickly.
The caller also allegedly threatened the judge’s career if she refused.
The trial court said this was an attack on the fairness and independence of the justice system.
Chandrasekhar denies the trial court’s approach and says it judged him based on his character rather than evidence.
He has appealed to the Delhi High Court, while the trial court was due to decide his sentence on August 27.
A Delhi trial court convicted Sukesh Chandrasekhar under Indian Penal Code Sections 170, 189 and 507.
The case concerns an April 28, 2017 call allegedly made while Chandrasekhar was in police custody.
Prosecutors said he used Constable Manjeet’s phone to contact Special Judge Poonam Chaudhary.
The callers allegedly posed as a Supreme Court judge’s secretary and the judge, seeking Chandrasekhar’s immediate bail and threatening professional consequences.
Chandrasekhar has moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the conviction and seeking removal of what he calls prejudicial remarks; sentencing was scheduled for August 27.
- Who
- Sukesh Chandrasekhar was convicted by Chief Judicial Magistrate Harshita Mishra; Special Judge Poonam Chaudhary was the judicial officer targeted by the alleged calls.
- What
- Chandrasekhar was convicted of impersonating a Supreme Court judge and attempting to pressure a judge to grant him bail.
- Where
- The conviction was issued by the Delhi trial court at Tis Hazari Courts, and the alleged calls targeted a Delhi special judge.
- When
- The alleged calls were made on April 28, 2017; the trial court’s judgment was dated August 20, with reports also describing the conviction as occurring on August 26. Chandrasekhar filed his Delhi High Court challenge on August 27.
- Why
- The prosecution said the calls were intended to secure Chandrasekhar’s immediate bail in a corruption case.
Trial Court and Prosecution
Chandrasekhar’s Defence
Nature of the phone calls
Trial Court and Prosecution
The prosecution said Chandrasekhar deliberately impersonated a Supreme Court judge and the judge’s secretary to influence Poonam Chaudhary and obtain bail.
Chandrasekhar’s Defence
Chandrasekhar is challenging the conviction and has argued that the case was adjudicated with a predetermined and adverse mindset rather than solely on evidence.
Impact on the judiciary
Trial Court and Prosecution
The trial court described the conduct as a direct affront to judicial independence and an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice through intimidation and false authority.
Chandrasekhar’s Defence
His plea focuses on the trial court’s alleged use of derogatory, stigmatic and unnecessary descriptions of his character, which he says were not needed to decide the case.
Completeness of the proceedings
Trial Court and Prosecution
The court held that the prosecution had proved the offences beyond a reasonable doubt, while separately criticizing police investigators for gaps and delays.
Chandrasekhar’s Defence
Chandrasekhar says he was not given the opportunity to complete his defence evidence and is asking the Delhi High Court to intervene.
Key facts
- Accused
- Sukesh Chandrasekhar
- Trial court
- Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi
- Presiding magistrate
- Chief Judicial Magistrate Harshita Mishra
- Targeted judge
- Special Judge Poonam Chaudhary
- Alleged method
- Access to Constable Manjeet’s mobile phone was allegedly used to call Chaudhary’s official landline and personal phone.
- Conviction provisions
- Indian Penal Code Sections 170, 189 and 507: personating a public servant, threatening a public servant and criminal intimidation by anonymous communication.
- Appeal
- Chandrasekhar has moved the Delhi High Court, arguing that the trial court showed a predetermined mindset, restricted his defence evidence and made unnecessary character-based remarks.
- Investigation criticism
- The trial court called the Delhi Police investigation superficial and shoddy, citing delayed statements, gaps in electronic-evidence collection and unanswered questions about access to Manjeet’s phone.
Quotes
Harshita Mishra
Chief Judicial Magistrate who convicted Sukesh Chandrasekhar
“The court also finds it necessary to record that the conduct of the accused constitutes a direct affront to the independence and sanctity of the judicial process. Courts decide cases on the basis of law and evidence, not on the basis of telephone calls purporting to emanate from persons occupying positions of authority.”
thehansindia.com
“A courtroom may be entered through its doors, but justice cannot be entered through the backdoor of impersonation, intimidation or manufactured authority. The accused attempted precisely such a backdoor entry into the judicial process. The evidence has closed that door.”
thehansindia.com
Trial judge
The trial judge who convicted Chandrasekhar in the impersonation and intimidation case
“A courtroom may be entered through its doors, but justice cannot be entered through the backdoor of impersonation, intimidation or manufactured authority. The accused attempted precisely such a backdoor entry into the judicial process. The evidence has closed that door.”
theprint.in
“The investigating officers have reduced the investigation to the recording of a few statements (that too after the passage of 8-10 months), collection of readily available documents, and examination of the immediate telephone trail.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
‘Conman’ Sukesh Chandrasekhar moves Delhi HC against conviction for posing as SC judge
Delhi court convicts conman Sukesh for posing as SC judge, quantum of sentence today
‘Didn’t just cross the line but...': Sukesh Chandrashekhar convicted by Delhi court for impersonating SC judge to get bail
Conman Sukesh convicted for posing as SC judge
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