The Supreme Court dismissed the plea of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar on Tuesday, calling it an abuse of the legal process.
Chandrasekhar requested a transfer from Mandoli Jail in Delhi to any other prison, except those in Punjab and Delhi.
A bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and P.B. Varale noted that similar requests made by Chandrasekhar had been previously dismissed by the Court.
The bench made it clear that the grievance raised by Chandrasekhar was against the Delhi government, and with a change in the political dispensation, the issue no longer held merit.
The Justices criticized him for repeatedly filing the same petitions, stating, “You have money to spend, you keep on taking chances. This is abuse of process of law.” They emphasized that they were not making a judgment on the case’s merits but observed that Chandrasekhar had been misusing the legal process by submitting multiple writ petitions under the guise of altered circumstances.
Chandrasekhar’s lawyer, senior advocate Shoeb Alam, argued that his client had a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution to be kept close to his family. Alam requested a transfer to a prison in Karnataka or one near the region.
However, the bench raised concerns about public safety, responding, “We are worried about society and its safety also. Your fundamental rights cannot be enforced at the cost of others.” They also referred to the serious nature of the allegations against him.
In response to Chandrasekhar’s claims of mistreatment, including being placed under surveillance with two cameras to pressure him into withdrawing complaints, the Court had earlier sought the Delhi government’s reply. Chandrasekhar alleged that Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena, had recommended a CBI probe into his complaint against former minister Satyendra Jain.
Chandrasekhar’s plea also requested a transfer to a location outside Delhi and Punjab, citing concerns about the Aam Aadmi Party’s influence. He stated, “Please, send me anywhere in the country, except Punjab and Delhi where the Aam Aadmi Party is not there.”
This is not the first time the Supreme Court has rejected his requests. Last year, Chandrasekhar and his wife had sought a transfer from Mandoli Jail due to security concerns. The Court dismissed their plea, calling it “without substance” and stating there was no justification to grant their request.
Chandrasekhar and his wife are in jail facing charges related to money laundering and cheating several people. He previously accused Satyendra Jain of extorting Rs 10 crore in “protection money” from him and claimed to have contributed Rs 50 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party.
Following security threats, he was moved from Tihar Jail to Mandoli Jail, where he currently remains.
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