3 weeks ago
SC asks trial court to examine witnesses within 3 months
The Supreme Court is the highest court in India.
A woman named Leena Paulose is in jail because the police say she helped her husband, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, in a big cheating and threatening case.
The police say the couple took a huge amount of money, around 200 to 217 crore rupees, from a woman by pretending to be important government officials.
Paulose asked the court to set her free because she has been locked up for almost five years while the trial is still not over.
Her lawyers say the case has many accused people and hundreds of witnesses, which makes it take a very long time.
The government's lawyers say she was actually the leader of the whole plan and should stay in jail.
The Supreme Court judges said the case must move faster.
They told the lower court to question the important witnesses within the next three months.
After that, the court will decide again whether she should be released on bail.
The Supreme Court directed the trial court to examine the list of key witnesses within three months in the Rs 200 crore extortion case registered under MCOCA.
The bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale was hearing a bail plea by Leena Paulose, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
Paulose's counsel said she has been in custody for four years and 11 months and that the case involves 23 accused and 403 witnesses.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Paulose was 'handling the whole syndicate' and is involved in three FIRs.
The Delhi High Court had refused bail to Paulose in the MCOCA case on May 5 while granting her bail in the connected money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
- Who
- Leena Paulose, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and the Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale
- What
- The Supreme Court directed the trial court to examine key witnesses within three months while hearing Paulose's bail plea in the Rs 200 crore MCOCA extortion case
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, New Delhi; the trial is pending before a trial court
- When
- Thursday, at a hearing where charges had been framed on July 3 and the sixth supplementary chargesheet was filed on August 1
- Why
- Paulose sought bail citing prolonged detention of four years and 11 months, delay in trial, and parity with co-accused who were granted bail
Defense (Leena Paulose)
Prosecution (Delhi Police)
Bail and prolonged detention
Defense (Leena Paulose)
Paulose has been in custody for four years and 11 months, the trial with 403 witnesses is delayed, and her case stands 'on a much better footing' than co-accused Deepak Ramani, who was granted bail.
Prosecution (Delhi Police)
The twin conditions for bail under MCOCA have not been satisfied, the delay was caused by the accused seeking repeated adjournments, and those granted bail were merely facilitators.
Paulose's role in the syndicate
Defense (Leena Paulose)
As Chandrashekhar's wife with a case similar to released facilitator Deepak Ramani, her involvement is comparable to a facilitator rather than a leader.
Prosecution (Delhi Police)
Paulose was 'handling the whole syndicate' and was an active participant who coordinated with associates and jail officials, with three FIRs pending against her.
Key facts
- Accused
- Leena Paulose, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar
- Case
- Rs 200 crore extortion case under MCOCA; Delhi Police alleges Aditi Singh was extorted of around Rs 217 crore
- Detention
- 4 years and 11 months (in custody since September 2021)
- Case size
- 23 accused and 403 witnesses
- Charges framed
- July 3
- Sixth supplementary chargesheet
- Filed on August 1
- Court directive
- Trial court to examine key witnesses within three months
- Earlier ruling
- Delhi High Court refused bail in MCOCA case on May 5 but granted bail in ED money laundering case
Quotes
Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale
Supreme Court justices directing the prosecution
“"There are 23 accused and 403 witnesses. Charges were framed on July 3; the 6th supplementary chargesheet was filed on August 1. With the release of Deepak Ramani, my case stands on a much better footing than him,"”
theprint.in
“"How long can you keep her inside? There must be some end to this. What if tomorrow she is acquitted?"”
theprint.in
Sources
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