An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet etc. It appeared like his office and not jail, said a police officer.
Tag: Sukesh Chandrashekhar
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2 actressess ‘recreate’ their meeting with Sukesh; cops claim conman enjoys luxuries inside Tihar jail
By PTI
NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police team took two actresses inside the Tihar jail to “recreate” their alleged meeting with conmon Sukesh Chandrashekhar as part of a probe into a Rs 200-crore extortion case, officials said on Monday.
The police said ever since Chandrashekar has been jailed, the prison had become a hub of illegal activities which he carried out with the help of jail officials.
The team of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing took actresses Nikki Tamboli and Sofia Singh to the Tihar’s central jail number one on Saturday to “recreate” their meetings with the ‘conman’ as part of the ongoing probe, a senior police officer said.
Chandrashekhar, who is currently in jail, is accused of cheating various people, including high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh.
The EOW has so far questioned Bollywood actors — Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi along with former TV anchor Pinky Irani and stylist Leepakshi Ellawadi, officials said.
During his stay in Tihar, many people including celebrities arrived in luxury cars and gained entry inside the jail by saying they were there to meet Chandrashekar, the officer said.
Tamboli has featured in a couple of reality shows while Singh has acted in Hindi and Telegu movies, officials said.
Videography of the entire recreation of the meeting was also done, police said.
“Many people visited Chandrashekhar inside the jail. However, we are only summoning those who are relevant to our investigation. Currently, Chandrashekar is jailed in Mandoli Prison,” the official said.
Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said, “We are doing a thorough investigation in the case and that’s why we have recreated the scene of meeting of the actresses with Chandrashekhar.
“That has given us a clear understanding of how this fraud was carried out. This will help us in prosecution.”
An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet and other amenities. It appeared like his office and not jail, another police officer said.
“Jail security was compromised. Luxury cars used to go inside the prison after visitors claimed they were going to meet Sukesh. Security checks were not done for those going to meet Chandrashekar. He had so much money that he was spending crores on jail officials. No one stopped him since he had bribed jail officials,” he added.
Most of the time, Chandrashekhar introduced himself either as a business tycoon from the south, a movie producer or a television channel owner and lured actors by offering them roles in “his upcoming movies”, the police said.
The investigation of the case is still underway and so far, no clean chit has been given to any of the actors involved in the case, they said.
“Investigation also suggests that Chandrashekhar had contacted other actors as well with the same modus operandi. The two actors were introduced to the alleged conman through Pinki Irani who has already been questioned by the EOW team,” the officer said.
He added that these illegal activities of Chandrashekhar and his operations were carried out with the involvement of senior jails officials.
“We are investigating the role of each of these jail officials who were working for Chandrasekhar. Under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, six Tihar jail officials have already been arrested. The role of other jail officials are under scrutiny,” the officer said.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police team took two actresses inside the Tihar jail to “recreate” their alleged meeting with conmon Sukesh Chandrashekhar as part of a probe into a Rs 200-crore extortion case, officials said on Monday.
The police said ever since Chandrashekar has been jailed, the prison had become a hub of illegal activities which he carried out with the help of jail officials.
The team of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing took actresses Nikki Tamboli and Sofia Singh to the Tihar’s central jail number one on Saturday to “recreate” their meetings with the ‘conman’ as part of the ongoing probe, a senior police officer said.
Chandrashekhar, who is currently in jail, is accused of cheating various people, including high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh.
The EOW has so far questioned Bollywood actors — Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi along with former TV anchor Pinky Irani and stylist Leepakshi Ellawadi, officials said.
During his stay in Tihar, many people including celebrities arrived in luxury cars and gained entry inside the jail by saying they were there to meet Chandrashekar, the officer said.
Tamboli has featured in a couple of reality shows while Singh has acted in Hindi and Telegu movies, officials said.
Videography of the entire recreation of the meeting was also done, police said.
“Many people visited Chandrashekhar inside the jail. However, we are only summoning those who are relevant to our investigation. Currently, Chandrashekar is jailed in Mandoli Prison,” the official said.
Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said, “We are doing a thorough investigation in the case and that’s why we have recreated the scene of meeting of the actresses with Chandrashekhar.
“That has given us a clear understanding of how this fraud was carried out. This will help us in prosecution.”
An investigation has also revealed that Chandrashekar had a proper office inside the prison with a television, sofa, carpet and other amenities. It appeared like his office and not jail, another police officer said.
“Jail security was compromised. Luxury cars used to go inside the prison after visitors claimed they were going to meet Sukesh. Security checks were not done for those going to meet Chandrashekar. He had so much money that he was spending crores on jail officials. No one stopped him since he had bribed jail officials,” he added.
Most of the time, Chandrashekhar introduced himself either as a business tycoon from the south, a movie producer or a television channel owner and lured actors by offering them roles in “his upcoming movies”, the police said.
The investigation of the case is still underway and so far, no clean chit has been given to any of the actors involved in the case, they said.
“Investigation also suggests that Chandrashekhar had contacted other actors as well with the same modus operandi. The two actors were introduced to the alleged conman through Pinki Irani who has already been questioned by the EOW team,” the officer said.
He added that these illegal activities of Chandrashekhar and his operations were carried out with the involvement of senior jails officials.
“We are investigating the role of each of these jail officials who were working for Chandrasekhar. Under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, six Tihar jail officials have already been arrested. The role of other jail officials are under scrutiny,” the officer said.
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SC orders shifting of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife to Mandoli jail in a week
Express News Service
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for shifting of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife Leena Paulose from Tihar Jail to Mandoli jail in a week.
Considering Sukesh’s plea wherein he had sought for transfer to any jail outside Delhi on grounds of threat to his life, the bench of Justices SR Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia also orally observed that it couldn’t grant a prisoner right to choose jail.
“How can a prisoner have a right to choose jail? We can’t allow that to happen,” the bench orally observed.
The Court also said that it was for the authorities to take action in relation to the grave allegations levelled by Sukesh against the officials.
“Having considered the materials on the record and also having regard to the order on June 17, 2022 this Court is of the opinion that in terms of the statement made by the respondent on June 23, 2022, the petitioners should be shifted to Mandoli jail. It is accordingly ordered. The petitioner shall be transferred within a week” the bench said in the order.
At the outset, ASG SV Raju submitted that Sukesh’s request of shifting him to any jail outside Delhi could not be granted since it was for an oblique purpose. He further added he had sought for his transfer since the suspension of jail officials along with him allegedly running an extortion racket had made it difficult for him to run the extortion racket from inside the prison.
“Extortion racket from inside the prison, bribe the jail, get telephones and the numbers. Now several jail officials have been suspended and it has become difficult for him to operate so he wants to shift to another jail. He used to run a racket from inside the prison,” Raju said.
Referring to the order dated June 23 wherein ED had informed that it proposed to shift the couple to Mandoli jail, Justice Bhat while stressing on the fact that there were so many jails in Delhi asked ASG as to why ED couldn’t allow Sukesh and his wife to be shifted. The judge further asked as to whether ED had registered FIR’s against the officials who allegedly aided Sukesh.
“Our problem is that his extortion racket will then start from there and his crime syndicate will operate. Now he wants to go to another jail so that he can start the racket there,” Raju said. ASG further told the bench that FIRs were registered against the officials and that he could be shifted to Mandoli jail.
ALSO READ | Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar case: ED makes revelations in Supreme Court, opposes change of jail
Clarifying that the couple had not approached the Court for seeking bail or quashing the proceedings, Senior Advocate R Basant submitted that Sukesh and his wife had grievance against the “high ranking officials” who were extorting money from them for their safety.
“I’ve not come here to seek bail or quash the proceedings. This jail they’re treating me very unfairly. My grievance is against the high ranking officials and please shift me from one jail to another jail because we are being extorted,” Senior Advocate said. Basant also objected to the ED’s proposal of shifting the couple to Mandoli jail.
“Will it be fair to shift the person to other jail where the same set of officials were involved in managing day to day affairs and I have specifically complained against them. I don’t want to go to Mandoli jail,” Basant said.
Accepting ED’s proposal to shift Sukesh to Mandoli jail, Justice Bhat said, “There are 15 jails, we can shift you there. We are not going to be fetters of the previous order. That was not a binding order as new revelations have come to courts notice. We don’t have so much time for one matter.”
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for shifting of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife Leena Paulose from Tihar Jail to Mandoli jail in a week.
Considering Sukesh’s plea wherein he had sought for transfer to any jail outside Delhi on grounds of threat to his life, the bench of Justices SR Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia also orally observed that it couldn’t grant a prisoner right to choose jail.
“How can a prisoner have a right to choose jail? We can’t allow that to happen,” the bench orally observed.
The Court also said that it was for the authorities to take action in relation to the grave allegations levelled by Sukesh against the officials.
“Having considered the materials on the record and also having regard to the order on June 17, 2022 this Court is of the opinion that in terms of the statement made by the respondent on June 23, 2022, the petitioners should be shifted to Mandoli jail. It is accordingly ordered. The petitioner shall be transferred within a week” the bench said in the order.
At the outset, ASG SV Raju submitted that Sukesh’s request of shifting him to any jail outside Delhi could not be granted since it was for an oblique purpose. He further added he had sought for his transfer since the suspension of jail officials along with him allegedly running an extortion racket had made it difficult for him to run the extortion racket from inside the prison.
“Extortion racket from inside the prison, bribe the jail, get telephones and the numbers. Now several jail officials have been suspended and it has become difficult for him to operate so he wants to shift to another jail. He used to run a racket from inside the prison,” Raju said.
Referring to the order dated June 23 wherein ED had informed that it proposed to shift the couple to Mandoli jail, Justice Bhat while stressing on the fact that there were so many jails in Delhi asked ASG as to why ED couldn’t allow Sukesh and his wife to be shifted. The judge further asked as to whether ED had registered FIR’s against the officials who allegedly aided Sukesh.
“Our problem is that his extortion racket will then start from there and his crime syndicate will operate. Now he wants to go to another jail so that he can start the racket there,” Raju said. ASG further told the bench that FIRs were registered against the officials and that he could be shifted to Mandoli jail.
ALSO READ | Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar case: ED makes revelations in Supreme Court, opposes change of jail
Clarifying that the couple had not approached the Court for seeking bail or quashing the proceedings, Senior Advocate R Basant submitted that Sukesh and his wife had grievance against the “high ranking officials” who were extorting money from them for their safety.
“I’ve not come here to seek bail or quash the proceedings. This jail they’re treating me very unfairly. My grievance is against the high ranking officials and please shift me from one jail to another jail because we are being extorted,” Senior Advocate said. Basant also objected to the ED’s proposal of shifting the couple to Mandoli jail.
“Will it be fair to shift the person to other jail where the same set of officials were involved in managing day to day affairs and I have specifically complained against them. I don’t want to go to Mandoli jail,” Basant said.
Accepting ED’s proposal to shift Sukesh to Mandoli jail, Justice Bhat said, “There are 15 jails, we can shift you there. We are not going to be fetters of the previous order. That was not a binding order as new revelations have come to courts notice. We don’t have so much time for one matter.”
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ED to name Jacqueline Fernandez as accused in conmnan money laundering case
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to name Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in a multi-crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and others, officials said on Wednesday.
The federal probe agency is expected to file a fresh (supplementary) charge sheet or prosecution complaint in this case on Wednesday before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi and the actor has been arraigned in it as an accused, they said.
The 36-year-old actor has been questioned multiple times by the agency in this case, the last being in June. The actor, a Sri Lanka national, debuted in the Hindi film industry in 2009. The ED in April provisionally attached Rs 7.27 crore funds of the actor under the PMLA apart from Rs 15 lakh cash as the agency called these funds as “proceeds of crime”.
“Sukesh Chandrasekhar had given various gifts worth Rs 5.71 crore to Jacqueline Fernandez from the proceeds of crime generated by criminal activities including extortion.” “Chandrasekhar had put Pinky Irani, his long time associate and co-accused in this case to deliver the said gifts to her,” the ED had then said in a statement.
In addition to these gifts, it said, Chandrasekhar also gave “funds to the tune of USD 1,72,913 (about Rs 1.3 crore as per current exchange rate) and AUD 26740 (approx. Rs 14 lakh) to the close family members of Fernandez out of the proceeds of crime through co-accused Avtar Singh Kochhar, an established and well known international hawala operator.”
The agency said its probe found that Chandrasekhar had “delivered cash to the tune of Rs 15 lakh to a script writer on behalf of Fernandez as advance for writing a script of her web series project.”
The ED has alleged that Chandrashekhar used illegal money to purchase gifts for Fernandez which he had extorted by cheating high-profile people including former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh. He is alleged to have conned Aditi Singh and her sister by impersonating as the Union home secretary and also as the Law secretary over phone.
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has decided to name Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in a multi-crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and others, officials said on Wednesday.
The federal probe agency is expected to file a fresh (supplementary) charge sheet or prosecution complaint in this case on Wednesday before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi and the actor has been arraigned in it as an accused, they said.
The 36-year-old actor has been questioned multiple times by the agency in this case, the last being in June. The actor, a Sri Lanka national, debuted in the Hindi film industry in 2009. The ED in April provisionally attached Rs 7.27 crore funds of the actor under the PMLA apart from Rs 15 lakh cash as the agency called these funds as “proceeds of crime”.
“Sukesh Chandrasekhar had given various gifts worth Rs 5.71 crore to Jacqueline Fernandez from the proceeds of crime generated by criminal activities including extortion.” “Chandrasekhar had put Pinky Irani, his long time associate and co-accused in this case to deliver the said gifts to her,” the ED had then said in a statement.
In addition to these gifts, it said, Chandrasekhar also gave “funds to the tune of USD 1,72,913 (about Rs 1.3 crore as per current exchange rate) and AUD 26740 (approx. Rs 14 lakh) to the close family members of Fernandez out of the proceeds of crime through co-accused Avtar Singh Kochhar, an established and well known international hawala operator.”
The agency said its probe found that Chandrasekhar had “delivered cash to the tune of Rs 15 lakh to a script writer on behalf of Fernandez as advance for writing a script of her web series project.”
The ED has alleged that Chandrashekhar used illegal money to purchase gifts for Fernandez which he had extorted by cheating high-profile people including former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s wife Aditi Singh. He is alleged to have conned Aditi Singh and her sister by impersonating as the Union home secretary and also as the Law secretary over phone.
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‘Allegation of jail assault is false’: ED seeks perjury action against conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday sought prosecution of ‘master conman’ Sukesh Chandrashekhar for perjury as it claimed that he has falsely stated in his affidavit about a physical assault in Tihar Jail and deliberately omitted the report of the doctors who ruled out any physical injury on him.
The ED opposed the transfer of Chandrashekhar and his wife from Tihar Jail to any other prison outside Delhi on the ground of a threat to his life and said that police personnel from Tamil Nadu’s special police force have been deployed for their security.
A vacation bench of Justices CT Ravi Kumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia said that since another vacation bench has passed the order seeking names of jails in which Chandrashekhar and his wife could be transferred, it cannot review it or modify it.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing on June 23 and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to come up with a list of names of jails where he and his wife could be transferred.
Mehta said that since ED, which is the investigating agency for money laundering charges against Chandrashekhar was never heard when the earlier order was passed, it would be appropriate if the bench transferred the case to be listed before either of the judges, who had passed the order.
The bench, which agreed with the contention that ED was not heard when the earlier order was passed, initially said that it would post the matter for further hearing after the vacation. Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for Chandrashekhar, said that his client continuously faces threats to his life from the jail staff and protection money is being sought from him.
Mehta said that counsel for the Union of India had earlier given an undertaking about the safety of Chandrashekhar and they stand by it and for that purpose, he is kept under round-the-clock security by Tamil Nadu Special Police Force.
The solicitor general said that Chandrashekhar used to call models and celebrities to his jail in collusion with prison staff, who have been suspended and an inquiry has been ordered against them. The bench then posted the matter for further hearing on June 23.
In a fresh affidavit filed by Director General (Prisons), Delhi Prisons it was said that the contents of the Chandrashekhar’s application that he was assaulted in jail are vehemently denied as totally and wholly false and fabricated for the ulterior motive of seeking transfer to another prison in order to repeat his misdemeanours and offences.
It listed the 20 cases in which Chandrashekhar is accused and said that his jail conduct has been “unsatisfactory” and has been found involved in violating Delhi Prison Rules.
“It is pertinent to note that the petitioner has deliberately omitted the relevant part of the MLC report which records that local examination by the examining doctor stated:- ‘no fresh external injuries seen at the time of examination’… this omission is deliberate to mislead this court and is an attempt to play fraud on this court,” the affidavit said
It added that the conduct of petitioner in distorting and obfuscating documents while filing them before this court is itself an offence making the petitioner guilty of the offence of perjury.
On Monday, the ED made some startling revelations in the top court against Chandrashekhar that he indulged in money laundering, extortion, impersonation of public officials including that of those holding constitutional posts, and had opposed his plea for prison transfer outside Delhi.
The probe agency has sought to intervene in a plea of Chandrashekhar, who is lodged in Tihar jail on charges of money laundering and duping several people, and his wife seeking their transfer to a prison outside Delhi alleging threat to their lives from jail staff.
In its intervention application, the ED has said Chandrashekhar has repeatedly committed offences including that of money laundering during his incarceration in the jail by subverting the legal system and prison rules with the help of his knowledge of technology and his abilities to con people.
“Sukesh Chandrashekhar has created a web through his devious mechanism. He is a master conman and with technology at his disposal, he could execute to perfection his plan,” the agency said. The ED said that it has been found that Sukesh and his wife Leena were running an organized crime syndicate with the aid and association of other associates, added to the syndicate from time to time.
“That being inside the jail, he was threatening people to do what he wished or face consequences. The proceeds of crime were used to purchase cars, houses in Chennai, various luxury items, clothes, etc., and were utilized to open a salon for his wife, to give expensive gifts to celebrities, and to jail authorities to manage facilities in jail,” it said.
It said that Chandrashekar had utilized proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities related to the scheduled offence in the acquisition of residential property in Chennai, acquisition of various high-end vehicles, investment in saloon operated by her wife co-accused Leena Maria Paulose by the name “The Nail Artistry”, providing luxury gifts to the celebrities (actresses) and making expenses on behalf of them (celebrities), Air Travels by chartered flights and funds were given to jail authorities also to manage all facilities in jail.
The probe agency named several TV and Bollywood personalities with whom the ‘conman’ has contacts and used to give them expensive gifts.
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Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar case: ED makes revelations in Supreme Court, opposes change of jail
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday made some startling revelations in Supreme Court against “master conman” Sukesh Chandrashekhar that he indulged in money laundering, extortion, impersonation of public officials including that of those holding constitutional posts, and opposed his plea for prison transfer outside Delhi.
The probe agency sought to intervene in a plea of Chandrashekhar, who is lodged in Tihar jail on charges of money laundering and duping several people, and his wife seeking their transfer to a prison outside Delhi alleging threat to their lives from jail staff.
A vacation bench of Justices CT Ravi Kumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that ED would like to intervene in the plea as it is the investigating agency that is probing the money laundering charges against the accused.
Mehta said that the ED has to say something about the conduct of the petitioners. The bench agreed to list the plea on Tuesday.
In its intervention application, the ED said Chandrashekhar has repeatedly committed offences including that of money laundering during his incarceration in the jail by subverting the legal system and prison rules with the help of his knowledge of technology and his abilities to con people.
“Sukesh Chandrashekhar has created a web through his devious mechanism. He is a master conman and with technology, at his disposal, he could execute to perfection his plan,” the agency said. The ED said that it has been found that Sukesh and his wife Leena were running an organized crime syndicate with the aid and association of other associates, added in the syndicate from time to time.
“That being inside the jail, he was threatening people to do what he wished or face consequences. The proceeds of crime were used to purchase cars, houses in Chennai, various luxury items, clothes, etc., and were utilized to open a salon for his wife, to give expensive gifts to celebrities, and to jail authorities to manage facilities in jail,” it said.
It added that the investigation has also revealed that he had transferred funds abroad to various jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Dubai while being in custody in prison. “The investigation qua the amounts spent on the jail authorities and the money sent abroad is pending,” it said, adding that Chandrashekhar has admitted that he used mobile-based applications “hushed” and “crazy call” for voice modulation and purchased virtual numbers.
It said that Chandrashekar had utilized proceeds of crime generated out of criminal activities related to the scheduled offence in the acquisition of residential property in Chennai, acquisition of various high-end vehicles, investment in saloon operated by her wife co-accused Leena Maria Paulose by the name “The Nail Artistry”, providing luxury gifts to the celebrities (actresses) and making expenses on behalf of them (celebrities), Air Travels by chartered flights and funds were given to jail authorities also to manage all facilities in jail.
The probe agency named several TV and Bollywood personalities with whom the ‘conman’ has contacts and used to give them expensive gifts.
The probe agency said that during interrogation it was revealed that “Sukesh was maintaining a personal office in Tihar Jail which was located above the office of Chandra’s office. It was a well-furnished office. Some officials in police uniform saluted these ladies while entering Tihar jail and these ladies were allowed to enter Tihar jail premises without an I-card”.
“That in the present case Sukesh Chandrashekhar while in custody in prison impersonated Law secretary Anup Kumar and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and extorted an amount to the tune of Rs. 215 crores from the Aditi Singh (wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh) as per quantification till date on the pretext of contribution to party funds. The extorted money was collected by Deepak Ramnani, who was introduced to Sukash by Sanjay Chandra (ex-promoter of Unitech group),” it said.
The agency said that it was also revealed that one BMW car and one Innova car were maintained by Sukesh in Tihar jail premises for picking up and dropping the guests of Sukesh including these ladies at the gate of Tihar Jail.
The agency said that apparently, the BMW car belonged to Chandrashekhar and Innova car belonged to Chandra’s and it was also revealed that Sukesh used to give cash and expensive gifts to these ladies (celebrities) in his office only which was located in Tihar Jail.
“That in light of the above facts and circumstances, all mechanisms to plug the loopholes have been fixed in Tihar jail and strong measures have been taken against the conspiring officials, hence it would be in the interest of justice that the accused remains in Tihar Jail,” it said.
It said that Chandrashekhar’s petition seeking his transfer to another prison is yet another ploy to repeat the same misdemeanors in another jail facility and exploit the loopholes where the jail authorities are not familiar with his innovative methods of con-manship.
The agency said that Tihar Jail has ensured that it would thwart any future possibility of misuse of jail facilities but for any new prison to put in place similar measures of even to come to terms with the sophisticated means of con-manship by Chandrashekar will take time and transferring them to any other prison would be hazardous as he is likely to repeat the same mischief and offences from within the jail as he has done on repeat occasions in the past.
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‘Conman’ Sukesh Chandrashekhar didn’t eat for 17 days, wanted more meets with wife: Officials
He did not consume food from April 23 to May 2 and from May 4 to 12 and had to be put on IV fluid/glucose (intra-venous) in the jail dispensary, a senior jail official said.
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Con man Sukesh Chandrashekhar spoofed phone numbers of authorities for extortion, police tells court
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Alleged con man Sukesh Chandrashekhar was using certain high end mobile phone application to spoof the landline numbers of different higher government authorities for extorting large amounts of money from several individuals from inside Rohini jail, Delhi police has told a court here in its charge sheet.
Police made the allegations in its charge sheet filed against Chandrashekhar and his wife and actor Leena Maria Paul earlier this month in a case related to allegedly duping wife of the former promoter of Ranbaxy of Rs 200 crore.
The police claimed in its final report filed before Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh that Chandrashekhar lived inside the jail like a ‘king’.
It claimed that he was using mobile number to carry out extortion by impersonating himself as high ranking government functionary.
“The mobile screen of unsuspecting users will show the number of landlines of government offices and name of some higher government authorities through true-caller mobile application,” the charge sheet filed before the court said.
According to the charge sheet, deputy jail superintendent D S Meena, arrested in the case, used to collect Rs 60 to 75 lakh fortnightly from co-accused Deepak and Pradeep Ramnani which was distributed among the jail officials to provide safety and facilities for Chandrashekhar to continue his extortion racket.
Of that, around Rs 50 lakh would be given to the officers above the rank of assistant superintendent (AS), and Rs 10 lakh to those below the ranks of AS, the charge sheet quoted from Meena’s confessional statement to the police.
It claimed that Chandrashekhar was given an entire barrack to stay where he spent long hours and opaque curtains were hung in order to prevent the CCTVs from recording his activities.
“He was living in the jail like a king. It seems all officials of Rohini jail were involved because of the facilities given to him. An entire barrack vacant of all other inmates was given to him. He had covered the CCTV cameras as well. He was freely using his mobile to run the extortion racket for a year,” police alleged.
It added that Chandrashekhar was fond of living a lavish lifestyle and loved expensive luxury vehicles.
Police claimed to have seized around 20 luxury vehicles from his farmhouse.
It said jail officers were also arrested for assisting Chandrashekhar in his crimes, who would send them at least Rs 1 crore a month via hawala dealers and money carriers.
“There was involvement from jail officials across all levels in the crime,” it added.
Police further stated that an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a Samsung mobile were recovered from Chandrashekar and he was using an Israeli number.
The accused are charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy and other offences punishable under IPC and under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
The case was filed on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing on Aditi Singh’s complaint that a man posing as a senior official of the Law Ministry in June last year had offered to help secure bail for her husband, who was in jail at that time, in return for money.
According to the EOW, Chandrashekhar and Paul, along with others used hawala routes and created shell companies to park the money earned from proceeds of crime.
Several officials, including an assistant jail superintendent and the deputy superintendent of Rohini Jail were found involved in the racket and were arrested, the police said.