NEW DELHI: The
Supreme Court
has dismissed a petition by
Leena Paulose
, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, challenging a Delhi High Court order that postponed her bail appeal in the Rs 200-crore
extortion case
.
A vacation bench comprising Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and Augustine George Masih ruled out the possibility of expediting proceedings.
“Special Leave Petition is dismissed. Pending applications shall also stand dismissed,” the bench stated in its June 14 order, reported ANI.
Paulose’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) contested the Delhi High Court’s May 20 decision to defer her bail plea hearing to July. The High Court had initially issued a notice on her bail plea on May 20, after the plea was filed on May 14.
The Supreme Court acknowledged Paulose’s prolonged detention, noting, “You have been in prison for two years and eight months, as soon as you come to the court you require an order.” However, it refused to interfere with the High Court’s scheduling, stating, “Not for us to arrange the board of the High Court,” when Paulose’s counsel requested expedited proceedings.
According to the prosecution, Chandrashekhar and Paulose have allegedly operated an organized crime syndicate since 2013, engaging in cheating and extortion for financial gain. The couple was arrested by Delhi Police in September 2021 and remains in judicial custody.
The Supreme Court’s decision means Paulose’s bail plea will be heard as scheduled by the Delhi High Court, further extending her time in custody amid ongoing legal proceedings.
