New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- A Delhi court has sentenced Sukesh Chandrasekar to eight years in prison for impersonating a Supreme Court judge and attempting to influence the outcome of his bail hearing in a corruption case.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Harshita Mishra of Tis Hazari courts sentenced Chandrasekar on August 29. He was awarded four years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 507 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal intimidation through anonymous communication, two years under Section 170 for impersonating a public servant and another two years under Section 189 for threatening a public servant. The court directed that the sentences be served consecutively, rather than concurrently, citing the distinct nature of the offences and their combined impact on the administration of justice. It said the deliberate and deceptive manner in which the offences were committed warranted punishment reflecting the seriousness of the attack on the rule of law.
The court observed that Chandrasekar had shown no genuine remorse during the trial and said there were no significant mitigating circumstances in his favour. It noted that the offences involved assuming a false judicial identity, attempting to influence a judicial officer and seeking bail in another criminal case through deception. The case dates back to April 24, 2017, when a judge at Tis Hazari courts received a call on her chamber landline. The caller first identified himself as the personal assistant of a Supreme Court judge and said the judge wanted to speak to her. Another person then joined the call and claimed to be the Supreme Court judge. According to the case, the caller claimed to be acting on behalf of the Union home ministry and the Supreme Court collegium and asked the judge to grant bail to Chandrasekar in a corruption case. The judge was allegedly warned of professional consequences if she did not follow the directions.
The judge subsequently contacted the office of the Supreme Court judge to verify the call and was informed that no such communication had been made. She then filed a complaint, following which a case was registered under sections relating to impersonation of a public servant, threatening a public servant, criminal intimidation through anonymous communication and common intention. The investigation was later transferred to the Crime Branch, which filed its charge sheet in April 2018. The trial began in February 2019. A Delhi court had convicted Chandrasekar on August 20, holding that he had attempted to interfere with the judicial process by posing as a Supreme Court judge and seeking favourable treatment in his bail matter.
The court also directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to re-examine the role of constable Manjeet, whose phone was allegedly used to make the call to the judge. The police have been asked to examine issues including the constable's absence from the Crime Branch office, relevant footage, his location coordinates and details concerning the privacy lock on the mobile phone. The court has fixed October 1 for compliance with these directions. Chandrasekar's counsel told the court that he had already spent time in custody in connection with the case and would therefore be entitled to credit for the period already undergone. The court has sought clarification from the jail authorities on whether bail or personal bonds were furnished at any stage and has listed the matter for September 2.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.