ED Files Application To Impleaded And Opposes Sukesh Chandrashekhar's Plea To Be Transferred Out Of Tihar Jail
|Supreme Court today adjourned to Thursday, Sukesh Chandrashekhar's plea to be transferred out of Tihar Jail. The Court while considering the issue of whether the previous order of transfer is to be modified, asked the Centre to prepare a list of viable options of prisons for Sukesh's transfer.
The Bench comprising of Justice C. T. Ravikumar and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia heard Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who told the Court that an affidavit has been filed by Enforcement Directorate to be impleaded in the matter. He also said that the order previously passed by the Supreme Court was passed without hearing the rival contentions of the parties.
The Bench said that the order previously passed by the Court cannot be modified. Tushar Mehta then submitted that he may be allowed to move the registry so that the matter can be placed before a Bench having at least one judge who passed the order.
Senior Advocate R. Basant appearing for Sukesh Chandrashekhar submitted that he was asked for a bribe for protection. He said that Sukesh was tortured and put under inhuman conditions.
The matter was posted for 2 pm and in the meanwhile the Registry tried to get the matter listed before one of the judges who had previously passed the order.
The Bench again assembled at 2 pm when Solicitor General submitted that, "I must point out that there is a prayer 'pass suitable direction to the effect that the petitioner is not transferred to any other jail from Tihar jail' this would amount to modifying the order. This will have to go before that Bench. In the meanwhile, the order passed by the Court on May 30 where the statement of ASG was recorded that his safety will be ensured will continue and the guard has been changed with one who is from Tamil Nadu."
The Bench said, "Normally the same vacation bench will not assemble. But taking into effect the prayers, the orders will have to be looked into whether they can be modified. We will not be able to decide that. So let us post it after vacation". Due to connectivity issues faced by Senior Advocate R. Basant, the matter was adjourned to Thursday.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar is currently lodged in Tihar Jail for cheating and extortion of money from prominent figures using the names of retired judges and other officials. Many Bollywood actresses and models were questioned in relation to this matter and for their alleged links to Chandrashekhar.