Delhi Police oppose bail plea of Sukesh Chandrashekar’s wife in extortion case, says she may flee to Dubai

New Delhi [India], August 29 (ANI): Delhi Police has opposed the bail plea of Leena Maria Paulose, the wife of Sukesh Chandrashekar, in an MCOCA case linked to a Rs 200 crore extortion case. Police filed a reply on her bail plea and said that she may flee to Dubai if granted bail.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna listed the matter for hearing arguments of Delhi Police on September 12.

The High Court heard the arguments of Senior advocate Tridip Pais for Leena Maria Paulose. She moved a bail plea through advocate Anant Singh Malik.

In its reply, Delhi police said that the family member (sister and brother-in-law) of Leena are settled in Dubai and she was brought up in Dubai.

“There is every likelihood that she may flee to Dubai to avoid trial of the case if granted bail,” police said.

Delhi Police said that it is crystal clear that the accused applicant was actively involved in the crime syndicate and her husband, Sukesh Chandrashekar, was the main mastermind and kingpin of the syndicate.

Both husband and wife had earlier also cheated several people by impersonating senior government officials, it added.

Delhi police also stated that the accused applicant is highly influential in Kerala as she has invested extorted money in the different areas of Kerala, Chennai and Bengaluru.

It is also stated that an investigation regarding the recovery of entire extorted funds is still ongoing, and several conspirators are on the run. It is also pertinent to mention that the bail application of the accused had already been dismissed twice by Trial Court on 02-11-2022 and 09-04-2024.

Delhi Police requested, in view of the severity of the punishment, the potentiality of the accused to influence the witnesses, apprehension of jumping the bail and provisions of Section 21 (4) of the MCOC Act, the bail application of accused Leena Paulose may please be dismissed.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh appeared for Delhi Police.

During the hearing, a senior advocate appeared for Leena and argued that there was no direct evidence that she was in touch directly with her husband, who was in custody. There is only confessional evidence from Sukesh Chandrashekar, Arun Muthu and Mohan Raj.

All three witnesses have withdrawn their statements, the counsel argued. It was also stated that four accused have already been granted bail.

It is submitted that the present bail application has been filed by the applicant/accused on the ground of parity in view of the four accused, namely Sunil Kumar, Joel Daniel, Pinky Irani and Avtar Singh, who have been admitted on bail by the Hon’ble Court.

Leena has been booked in a case registered by Delhi Police in 2021. She has been in custody for more than three years.

Delhi police opposed the bail application on the ground that the case is very sensitive and is at a crucial stage of framing of charge. This is a case where an entire syndicate has cheated and extorted the complainant to the tune of Rs 217 crore under a deep, well-knitted and planned conspiracy.

It is also stated that the entire recovery of cheated and extorted funds involved in the case is to be affected. There is every possibility that the accused will tamper with the evidence and may influence the witnesses if released on bail at this stage.

It is further stated that the Delhi High Court had already dismissed the bail application of the accused on 11-07-2023 and there is no change of circumstances qua the present applicant.

The accused is involved in the offence of MCOCA and Section 21 (4) is not entitled to bail under MCOCA, Delhi Police said.