The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the ED regarding the bail application of Leena Paulose, wife of jailed conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, in connection with a Rs.200 crore money laundering case tied to an extortion investigation.
Leena Paulose has been in jail for over three years and two months, and her counsel argued that she has yet to face trial. Despite the prolonged detention, charges have not been framed against her, and the trial has not commenced.
Justice Anish Dayal allowed a delay in refiling the application, directed the ED to respond, and scheduled the next hearing for January 22, 2025.
Defence Arguments: No Malafide Intent
Paulose’s counsel, Advocates Anant Malik and Paul John Edison, contended that she had been arrested solely due to her relationship with Sukesh Chandrasekhar, the main accused. They emphasized that there was no malafide or dishonest intent on her part, and she had acted as a dutiful wife. They further argued that the prosecution failed to establish any direct link between Paulose and the complainant, as evidenced by the FIR.
Violation of Fundamental Rights
In her bail plea, Leena Paulose highlighted that her prolonged detention violated her fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with dignity. She argued that the right to conjugal life, a vital aspect of Article 21, had been denied to her.
At 41 years old, Paulose, who previously suffered a miscarriage, faces diminishing chances of conceiving as she nears menopause. She contended that denying her this fundamental right based on mere allegations was unjust and unreasonable, amounting to a violation of her human rights.
The ED’s investigation stems from an FIR filed by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Sukesh Chandrasekhar. He is accused of cheating and extorting Aditi Singh, the wife of former Religare Enterprises promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
Chandrasekhar and his associates allegedly extorted money from Aditi by posing as government officials and promising to secure bail for her husband, who had been arrested in 2019 for alleged fund misappropriation at Religare Finvest Ltd.
Chandrasekhar is accused of using a spoof call from prison, impersonating a central government official, and convincing Aditi to transfer money in exchange for her husband’s bail. Both Sukesh Chandrasekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paul, were arrested for their involvement in the fraud. The ED has also named Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in the case.
The Delhi High Court’s decision to grant time for a response from the ED underscores the complexity of the case. As the investigation continues, the legal proceedings will likely address the claims made by Paulose and the charges against her and others involved in the case.
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