“Life Is Hell For Me” In Mandoli Prison, Says Alleged Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar ; Supreme Court Seeks Affidavit From Authorities On Security Measures

The Supreme Court of India on Friday asked the Superintend of Mandoli jail (Delhi) to file an affidavit on the safety and security measures in a plea filed by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. A Bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela Trivedi passed the order today while hearing Sukesh's plea seeking to transfer to him to another jail. “We direct Jail Superintendent, Mandoli Jail to file an affidavit listing the safety and security measures taken for the petitioner.” At the start of the hearing, the Bench asked the reason as to why the petitioner was filing frequent petitions before the Court. The Court noted that several pleas by the petitioner on similar prayers weren’t entertained earlier. “Since he is knocking the doors of the court always within a short span, we want to know what is troubling him so much in jail?” “He runs a racket while in custody. He has a software, it shows as PM's office, SC judges' numbers etc. When the jail staff is not co-operating, he comes to court. He puts CCTV cameras in water bottles. He has been caught with mobile phones multiple times, despite our vigilance”, Additional Solicitor General Raju apprised the Bench Stating that this isn’t a simple transfer of jail case, Raju said that the petitioner is “conman”. Further, ASG Raju said that Sukesh talks to film actresses, gifts them expensive things apart from others. “He wrote a letter to his accomplice that he has a Rs. 2 crore worth watch to be gifted to an actress”. Senior Advocate R Basant, appearing for the petitioner informed that the latter was being harassed in Mandoli jail while adding that he isn’t a “a paragon of virtue”. “I'm not asking for discharge or bail. Even the worst of criminals have rights. This DG Prisons is harassing me. Life is hell for me. Political executives and jail authorities are against me!”, he said. During the hearing, it was revealed that Sukesh has over 30 cases registered against him. At this juncture, the court asked, “What right do you have to ask to go to a particular jail?” “What am I asking? Send me to the cellular jail in Port Blair, no problem! It’s on the test of reasonableness. I'm subjected to intimidation, extortion etc., I'm not making specific complaints against anyone at this point. Let it be any other jail with the strictest of protocols”, Basant clarified. “DG Prisons has been suspended on my complaint….Every day I am harassed”, he added. “Going by Raju's statements, it's as if I am in paradise. All cosy! Then why am I making a complaint? I don't mind going anywhere, send me to any jail with the strictest protocols”, reiterating, Basant continued with submissions. Highlighting the petitioner’s conduct, the ASG Raju relied on the counter affidavit filed by him. “The threat is not from other inmates but from the (prison) staff”, Basant clarified. As the matter drew to a close, Basant said, “Look at the perversity of the argument - I'm asking to be shifted from such a "convenient jail"?!Last year, the Supreme Court had directed to shift Sukesh and his wife Leena Paulose to Mandoli Jail from Tihari Jail, after the duo complained of harassment and intimidation from Tihar jail officials. However, the Court had turned down his plea to shift him to a jail outside Delhi-NCR. Later, in October last year, the Court had dismissed another petition filed by him seeking transfer from Mandoli to a jail outside Delhi-NCR. Case Title: Sukesh Chandrashekar vs UOI | WP [Crl] No. 441/2022

“Life Is Hell For Me” In Mandoli Prison, Says Alleged Conman Sukesh Chandrashekar ; Supreme Court Seeks Affidavit From Authorities On Security Measures

Rintu Mariam Biju

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