The Delhi High Court has rejected the plea of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who sought not to be transferred from Mandoli Jail to any other prison. Sukesh had requested that the jail authorities give him a four-day advance notice before any transfer, citing medical reasons under the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018. The plea highlighted his health issues, including gallbladder stones, which required ongoing medical treatment at Safdarjung and RML Hospitals.
The court, however, found no compelling reasons to grant Sukesh’s request. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna noted in her recent order that Sukesh has been receiving medical treatment, including visits to external hospitals as needed. The court also pointed out that Sukesh has access to psychiatric care, which is available in other jail complexes, such as Tihar Central Jail.
The court emphasised that directives interfering with jail administration should only be issued if there are compelling reasons or evident mala fides by the jail administration, neither of which were found in Sukesh’s case.
The court also noted that Sukesh had previously filed a petition seeking the transfer of a jail official from Mandoli Jail, indicating a lack of grounds for a special exemption.
It concluded that there was no need for a blanket ban on transferring Sukesh between jails for administrative reasons. However, the court directed that Sukesh should receive a three-day advance notice before being shifted from Mandoli Jail.
The case comes in the context of broader allegations involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recorded his statement as part of an inquiry into an alleged extortion racket operating from Delhi prisons.
The investigation was initiated following the sanction from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, after Sukesh made allegations about an extortion racket within the prison system.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar is infamous for his involvement in high-profile extortion cases. In 2021, he was accused of extorting ₹200 crores from the wife of an industrialist through a series of calls.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the extent of the alleged crime and the involvement of individuals within the prison system. Sukesh’s name has often been linked with manipulation within jail authorities, and his influence has raised questions about how prisons are being managed.
The plea filed by Sukesh in the Delhi High Court appears to be an effort to ensure his stay in Mandoli Jail, as he claimed that being moved to another prison would disrupt his medical treatment.
Sukesh argued that Rule 667(1) of the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, necessitates the approval of such a transfer and that he should be given adequate notice. However, the court found his medical treatment requirements were adequately being met at Mandoli Jail and could continue at other jail complexes if he were transferred.
The court also referenced Sukesh’s mental health treatment, noting that while he is undergoing psychiatric treatment, similar facilities are available in other jail complexes like Tihar.
The order emphasised that administrative decisions related to prisoner transfers fall under the jurisdiction of jail authorities, and unless there is evident misconduct or a strong justification, the court should not interfere in such administrative matters.
This decision has come as a setback for Sukesh, who had earlier faced scrutiny for attempting to manipulate jail officials. The allegations regarding an extortion racket that operated from within prison premises also add another layer of complexity to his current legal battles.
The Central Bureau of Investigation’s preliminary inquiry into the alleged extortion racket began after Sukesh claimed that certain individuals were involved in an organised effort to extort money from inmates.
Sukesh’s role in a major extortion case in 2021, where he allegedly extorted ₹200 crores, further complicates his legal standing. The case brought to light the influence Sukesh allegedly wielded from within prison walls, using extortion tactics against the wife of an industrialist.
His activities have drawn attention to the management and security of Delhi’s prisons, with several allegations pointing towards corrupt practices that allowed him to operate with impunity.
The rejection of Sukesh’s plea indicates that the judiciary is not inclined to provide special treatment to inmates without solid grounds. Despite his claim of medical needs, the court has maintained that administrative decisions, such as transfers, are to be handled by jail authorities unless there is evidence of misuse of power. By providing a three-day notice period in case of transfer, the court struck a balance between Sukesh’s rights and the need for effective prison administration.
The ongoing CBI investigation, following the Lieutenant Governor’s nod, reflects the gravity of the situation involving the alleged extortion racket in the prison.
Sukesh’s allegations led to the registration of a preliminary inquiry, signalling a probe into whether prison officials or other inmates were involved in an organised extortion scheme. This inquiry aims to address the potential systemic issues within the prison system that have allowed such activities to occur.
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