Supreme Court directs conman Sukesh Chandrashekar to be shifted from Tihar jail to Mandoli Jail

The Supreme Court on Tuesday accepted the Enforcement Directorate's proposal to shift alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife to Mandoli jail from Tihar jail where he is presently lodged [Sukash Chandra Shekhar @ Sukesh & Anr vs Union of India & Anr]..A Bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia declined the request by Chandrashekhar to shift him to a jail outside Delhi."Having considered these material on record, this Court is of the opinion that in terms of the Statement by the ED, petitioner be shifted to Mandoli jail," the Court said.Chandrashkhar had sought a jail outside Delhi citing threats to his life and safety. The Court on Tuesday remarked that prisoners ordinarily have no such right to choose prison, in the absence of documented threats. "What is your right? Where is your perceptible threat? If we are to accede your client's request like this, we'll have to entertain such petitions from all & sundry." the Bench said. The jail transfer has to be completed within a week..Chandrasekhar approached the top court seeking transfer to any other jail, preferably outside Delhi, alleging that his life and safety were under threat from some prison officials in Tihar.Chandrasekhar was allegedly leading a lavish life inside Tihar jail where he is lodged after being arrested for cheating and extortion besides money laundering charges.The Supreme Court had last month asked the imprisoned conman to reveal the names of Tihar jail officials to whom he made payments amounting to over ₹12.5 crores to secure a lavish lifestyle inside the jail.The Bench said it would not shirk away from entering into details of the allegations before deciding on whether he needs to be moved out Tihar jail, where he is presently lodged.In June, a Supreme Court vacation bench had ordered that he be transferred but when the matter came up again, it decided to post it before the regular bench, noting that there was no urgency in the matter.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted an affidavit before the apex court stating that while he was in jail, Chandrasekhar had been running a crime syndicate, paying ₹1.5 crores every month for facilities like using phones and that some jail officials were on his payroll.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, submitted that Chandrasekhar had impersonated government officials and even Supreme Court judges and sought grant of bail. He argued that Chandrasekhar was now attempting to continue this modus operandi from other jails..[Follow our coverage of today's hearing]