NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on Leena Paulose, wife of notorious conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, for challenging a Delhi High Court order adjourning her bail plea. The top court’s bench, comprising Justices Bela Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma, expressed displeasure over the counsel’s decision to file a plea that was deemed frivolous.
During the hearing, Justice Sharma questioned the lawyer’s motives, asking how they could challenge the adjournment when they had themselves informed the high court about pending connected matters. The counsel pleaded to withdraw the plea, labeling it “misconceived,” and requested the bench not to impose a fine, citing concerns it would hinder the trial.
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Justice Sharma inquired, “What is the price? You challenged that order after arguing before the High Court that there are related matters.” The lawyer for Leena Paulose begged the bench to let him rescind the plea, calling it “misconceived.” “Please refrain from charging. The trial will be hampered,” Paulose’s attorney pleaded.
In response, Justice Trivedi said, “Let it hamper!” Just because you have money doesn’t mean you can come to the Supreme Court all the time, said Justice Bela Trivedi, who pulled up the attorney for Paulose. However, Justice Trivedi firmly responded, “Let it hamper!” emphasizing that merely having financial resources, which may not even be legitimate, does not grant the right to file unnecessary pleas in the Supreme Court. Justice Sharma also chimed in, highlighting that the money in question wasn’t even theirs.
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The court ultimately imposed the fine to serve as a deterrent against such frivolous applications, directing Leena Paulose to deposit the amount within two weeks. This development is the latest in the ongoing Rs 200 crore extortion case involving Sukesh Chandrasekhar and his wife.