A Delhi court has granted bail to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar in a money laundering case linked to the AIADMK’s “two leaves” election symbol bribery controversy. However, despite securing relief in this particular case, he will continue to remain in jail due to 31 other criminal cases pending against him.
The order was delivered by Special Judge Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Court, which allowed bail on a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh along with a surety of the same amount. The court observed that Chandrasekhar had already spent more than half of the maximum seven-year sentence prescribed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act without the trial being concluded in this case.
While acknowledging the seriousness of money laundering offences, the court stressed the importance of personal liberty, stating that legal provisions should not be used to justify prolonged incarceration without trial. It noted that courts cannot uphold the principle of liberty while simultaneously restricting it excessively under special laws or in cases involving economic offences.
The case originates from a 2017 FIR registered by Delhi Police, which alleged that Chandrasekhar acted as an intermediary for AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran. He was accused of attempting to bribe Election Commission officials with Rs 50 lakh to secure the party’s “two leaves” symbol for a faction associated with VK Sasikala.
Investigators claimed that Rs 1.3 crore in cash was recovered in connection with the case and was intended to influence the poll panel. The Enforcement Directorate further alleged that Chandrasekhar facilitated the transfer of illicit funds amounting to Rs 2 crore from Chennai to Delhi and later projected a portion of these funds, approximately Rs 63.78 lakh, as legitimate.
Despite the multiple cases against him, the court clarified that the existence of other charges alone cannot be grounds to deny bail in the present matter, particularly since he has already been granted bail in 26 of those cases. The judge also highlighted that proceedings in both the predicate offence and the ED case have been stayed by the Delhi High Court for several years, contributing to prolonged detention without trial.
Referring to Section 479(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which provides for bail to undertrials who have served half of the maximum prescribed sentence (except in cases involving death or life imprisonment), the court held that the conditions for granting bail had been met.
The court imposed several conditions while granting relief, including surrendering his passport, restrictions on travelling abroad, and a prohibition on contacting or influencing witnesses. Nevertheless, Chandrasekhar will not be released immediately, as he remains in custody in connection with other ongoing criminal proceedings.
