The Supreme Court has today accepted the proposal by the Enforcement Directorate for shifting the alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife to Mandoli jail from Tihar jail.
The Bench of Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia have declined the request by Chandrashekhar for shifting him to a jail outside Delhi.
The court said “Having considered these material on record, this Court is of the opinion that in terms of the Statement by the ED, petitioner be shifted to Mandoli jail.
Stating his life is at threat , the conman Chandrashkhar had sought for a jail outside Delhi.
The Court clearly said that prisoners have no such right to choose prison, in the absence of documented threats.
The bench questioned Sukesh” What is your right? Where is your perceptible threat? If we are to accede your client’s request like this, we’ll have to entertain such petitions from all & sundry.”
The jail transfer has to be completed within a week.
Chandrasekhar had approached the Apex Court stating that his life and safety were under threat from some prison officials in Tihar and he looks forward to transfer in any other jail, preferably outside Delhi.
Chandrasekhar is in Tihar jail where he was lodged after being arrested for cheating, extortion and money laundering charges.
The Supreme Court had ask the conman to tell the name of the official to whom he made payments amounting to over ₹12.5 crores to secure a lavish lifestyle inside the jail.
The Bench said it will like to know the details of the allegations before deciding on whether he needs to be moved out Tihar jail, where he is presently lodged.
A vacation bench in June had already given the transfer order but when the matter came up again, it decided to post it before the regular bench, noting that there was no urgency in the matter.
An affidavit was submitted before the apex court stating that while he was in jail, Chandrasekhar had been running a crime syndicate, paying ₹1.5 crores every month for facilities like using phones and that some jail officials were on his payroll.
The Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the ED, submitted that Chandrasekhar had impersonated many judges and Government officers and asked for bail.
ASG Raju also argued that Chandrasekhar was now attempting to continue this modus operandi from other jails.