Delhi HC Denies Stay on Charge Framing Against Sukesh Chandrasekhar

The Delhi High Court refused to halt the formal framing of charges against Sukesh Chandrasekhar in a high-profile extortion and money laundering case. Scheduled for a formal hearing on July 8, Justice Saurabh Banerjee affirmed there's no urgency, while rejecting pleas for an interim stay.

The Delhi High Court on Monday declined to pause the formal framing of charges against Sukesh Chandrasekhar in a case involving alleged extortion of Rs 200 crore. Last week, a trial court ordered the framing of charges against Chandrasekhar and other defendants under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Chandrasekhar appealed to the High Court seeking to delay the trial court's charge framing until the Delhi Police could file a charge sheet, following the arrest of another suspect, Navas Kakkat. However, Delhi Police argued that the request was irrelevant since charges had already been framed.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee, after considering the case, remarked that there was no urgency necessitating immediate attention, scheduling further discussions for July 8. Advocate Anant Malik requested a delay in signing the charges, but the court maintained that the accused could explore other legal avenues.

On May 30, the Patiala House court directed that charges be framed against Sukesh Chandrasekhar, his partner Leena Maria Paul, and others in the extortion case related to Rs 200 crore. Notably, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez is not implicated in this extortion case. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma instructed that charges be formally framed against all accused in both criminal cases.

The court set the formal signing of charges for June 3, mandating the physical presence of the accused. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Aditi Singh, prompting the Delhi Police to launch an investigation, followed by a money laundering probe by the Enforcement Directorate.

While Sukesh Chandrasekhar remains in custody, the High Court released his wife on bail in the money laundering case. Nevertheless, her bail request in the MCOCA case was denied. Other bail petitions are currently under consideration by the Delhi High Court. (ANI)