Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s 26 Exotic Cars to Be Sold: High Court Orders Auction

The Delhi High Court has recently granted permission for the sale of 26 luxury cars owned by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. A while ago, conman Sukesh’s wife filed a plea asking the High Court to uphold the order allowing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to auction these high-end vehicles. Following this decision, the remaining cars of conman Sukesh will be auctioned off, and the court has ordered the ED to keep the money in an interest-bearing fixed deposit.

High Court’s Decision

As per the reports, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court emphasized the inherent depreciation and decay that vehicles undergo over time. During the proceedings, the court highlighted that storing vehicles for extended periods can cause issues. It stated that when cars are stored, especially in container warehouses, it can lead to significant damage from environmental factors such as rust and corrosion.

It added that these issues are particularly relevant for high-end luxury cars like Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and Range Rover. This is because these cars require extensive and expensive maintenance to remain operational. Hence, the court directed the ED to auction these cars and also added to place the proceeds from the sale of these vehicles into an interest-bearing fixed deposit.

The high court highlighted that keeping the money from the auction in a fixed deposit ensures that if the trial concludes in favor of the accused, they will receive the monetary value instead of a decayed, non-operational vehicle. The court stated that this approach balances the interests of both the accused and the investigating agency, preserving the value of the seized assets.

What did conman Sukesh’s wife do?

Conman Sukesh‘s wife, Leena Paulose, was arrested alongside her husband. Following her arrest, she filed a plea challenging the trial court’s decision that granted the ED the right to auction the seized vehicles. She argued that the cars were purchased legally before the alleged crimes. Her plea added that they should not be classified as proceeds of crime.

Paulose, in her plea, also claimed that she had an independent business of buying and selling cars and added that many of the vehicles were bought through legally valid loan agreements. She also cited her deteriorating mental health, claiming depression and memory loss due to prolonged incarceration.

However, following this, the court found inconsistencies in Paulose’s defense. It stated that despite her claims of memory loss, she was able to recall specific details about some of the cars and the financial arrangements surrounding them. Justice Sharma pointed out that someone with the financial capability to purchase 26 luxury cars should be able to provide detailed records of their income and expenditures.

The court added that Paulose failed to produce any substantial documentation to back her claims, leading the court to dismiss her plea. In addition, the ED’s counsel argued that the petition was moot since 17 out of the 26 cars had already been auctioned following the trial court’s orders from 2022 and 2023.

Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been arrested for cases of extortion schemes. He has been implicated in several other high-profile fraud cases across India. The Delhi Police had initially registered an FIR against him for allegedly duping the spouses of Ranbaxy promoters, Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh, of Rs 200 crore.

Auction Process and Vehicle Details

As mentioned, 17 of the 26 cars of conman Sukesh have already been auctioned off. The auctions took place back in November of last year. The bids were accepted through the official ED website. The vehicles include some of the most exotic and expensive models available in India.

The list of the seized cars included a Lamborghini Aventador, multiple Land Rover Range Rovers, an Isuzu V-Cross, and a Rolls Royce Ghost. There was also a modified Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari 488 Pista, a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, and a Mansory-customized Lamborghini Urus.

Apart from these, there were three Bentley sedans, including a Mulsanne and two Flying Spurs. There was also a Bentley Bentayga as well. Another one of the standout vehicles of this auction was a Brabus-modified Maybach, a rarity in India. Other notable cars include an all-black Rolls Royce Ghost, a white Rolls Royce Phantom, a golden Cadillac Escalade, and a white Mercedes G-Wagen.

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