Delhi HC Grants Bail To Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s Aide In ₹200 Crore Extortion Case
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to advocate B. Mohanraj, an accused in the alleged ₹200 crore extortion case involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The court said his continued custody as an undertrial was not justified despite the bail restrictions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Court Cites Prolonged Custody
Allowing the bail plea, Justice Prateek Jalan noted that Mohanraj had spent nearly 4 years and 10 months in custody. The court also observed that the trial involves 24 accused, 403 prosecution witnesses and chargesheets running into more than 10,000 pages, making an early conclusion of the case unlikely.
The High Court directed Mohanraj’s release on a personal bond of ₹2.5 lakh with two sureties of the same amount. He has also been asked to surrender his passport, appear before the trial court on every hearing and not influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
Allegations In The Case
The case is based on an FIR registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell in August 2021. According to the prosecution, Chandrashekhar and his associates allegedly extorted around ₹217 crore from the wife of a businessman on the pretext of securing legal relief for her husband.
The prosecution also alleged that Mohanraj, a practising advocate and a close associate of Chandrashekhar and Leena Maria Paul, helped acquire luxury cars and immovable property in Chennai by allegedly routing proceeds of crime through third parties and received commissions for the transactions.
Court’s Observations
The High Court noted that its earlier order rejecting Mohanraj’s bail in 2023 had recorded prima facie findings against him. However, Justice Jalan said the present application required balancing the right to personal liberty under Article 21 with the bail restrictions under MCOCA.
The court also clarified that its observations were only for deciding the bail application and would not affect the trial.
Related Developments
The order comes weeks after the Delhi High Court denied bail to Leena Maria Paul in the same MCOCA case. The Supreme Court of India has since issued notice to the Delhi Police on her special leave petition challenging the order.
Paul had earlier secured bail in the parallel money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. The case has reached the stage of framing charges against Chandrashekhar, Paul and other accused, while Jacqueline Fernandez has pleaded not guilty and chosen to face trial in the ED case.
