New Delhi

A judge of the Delhi High Court on Thursday recused from hearing the bail pleas of actor Leena Maria Paul, wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, and other accused in the ₹200 crore extortion and related money laundering case pending since 2024.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said, “I will not hear these applications. List before the bench of the judge in-charge tomorrow.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani had also recused from hearing the bail pleas. The matter had previously been heard by Justice Saurabh Banerjee, who later released the case.

The Supreme Court of India had earlier directed that the bail pleas be decided within three weeks after the accused approached the apex court. However, the applications have been pending since 2024.

Previously, on October 15, 2025, a single bench of the Delhi High Court released 17 bail matters, including Paul’s plea, following the transfer of Justice Arun Monga. The cases had been scheduled for clarification before the pronouncement of judgment.

Paul has sought bail on grounds including the length of her custody, parity with co-accused and provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) relating to women accused. She has been in custody for about three years and seven months.

Her counsel, advocate Anant Malik, along with John Paul Edison, argued that charges had not yet been framed and that the trial had been delayed.

They also submitted that some co-accused had already been granted bail by the High Court and trial court.

The defence further argued that actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who was similarly placed, was not arrested during the investigation and was granted bail upon appearing after a summons.

Counsel also referred to provisions under Section 45 of the PMLA, noting that there is a proviso concerning women accused.

It was submitted that the complaint against Paul and others was filed on December 14, 2021, and the case involves 178 witnesses. The matter remains at the stage of arguments on charges by the accused.

Other accused including Pradeep Ramdani, Avtar Singh Kochar, Pinki Irani and Jacqueline Fernandez have already been granted bail, the defence said, arguing that Paul’s role was similar.

Her previous bail plea was rejected on May 19, 2023, when arguments on charges were ongoing.

The defence also cited the Manish Sisodia case before the Supreme Court while referring to bail granted to co-accused Avtar Singh Kochar on the ground of delay.

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Opposing the plea, the Enforcement Directorate argued that the twin conditions under Section 45 of the PMLA remain applicable and that the conduct of the accused must be considered while deciding the bail application.