Conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar's Wife Leena Paulose Seeks Bail, Delhi High Court Issues Notice

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on the bail plea filed by Leena Paulose, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, in the Rs 200-crore extortion case.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma sought response of the Delhi Police while listing the matter for hearing next on February 2, 2023.

Paulose, who is presently in judicial custody, was married to Chandrashekhar in July 2014. She was arrested last year and has been in jail since September 5, 2021. 

The counsel appearing for Paulose submitted before the court that most of the offences in the matter are bailable and that the petitioner has no direct connection with the main offence alleged against Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

The counsel further submitted that while chargesheet in the matter has been filed and investigation is complete, Paulose is also entitled to special protection under section 437 of CrPC being a woman.

On the other hand, Nandita Rao appearing for Delhi Police submitted that under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA), there is a higher bar in not releasing an accused on bail. It was submitted that under the statute, bail cannot be granted to an accused unless the court is prima facie satisfied that no case is made out against Paulose.

It was also submitted that there is clear cut evidence of conspiracy between Paulose and Chandrashekhar. 

It is Paulose's case that as a "dutiful wife", she complied with many of the suggestions and demands of her husband in "good faith" without understanding various issues and consequences involved therein.

In her bail plea, Paulose has stated that she is not a beneficiary of the alleged crime receipts and has not done anything for her benefit.

"The applicant was made to understand that the amount credited in her Bank account are all loans taken /arranged by her husband for business and there was nothing to disbelief her husband and the applicant was paying the EM! for the Loan as is generally done," the bail plea reads.

It has further been submitted that while the prosecution's case is built on the presumption that being a wife, Paulose had colluded with her husband Sukesh Chandrashekhar for committing the alleged offences, there is nothing on record to show any malafide or dishonest intention on her part.

"The applicant is arrested only because of the reason, the applicant being the wife of the main accused, and as a dutiful obedient wife, she blindly trusted her husband and as such there are no malafides or dishonest intentions from the part of the applicant. The prosecution is not having a case that, the applicant contacted nor is known to the defacto complainant which is evident from FIR," the plea states.

The bail plea has been moved through Advocate Paul John Edison.