In Brief
The CBI arrested Vikas Mishra in a corruption case and obtained seven days' police custody in April 2021, but the accused was hospitalized and subsequently granted interim bail, preventing the CBI from conducting full interrogation. The interim bail was later cancelled for non-cooperation with the investigation. The accused then claimed default bail under Section 167 Cr.P.C. for non-filing of the charge sheet within 90 days. The Supreme Court allowed the CBI's appeal, holding that an accused cannot deliberately frustrate investigative custody through medical hospitalization and bail. The Court granted the CBI four days' additional police custody for the unexercised remainder of the original order, rejecting the argument that police custody cannot exceed 15 days from arrest when the accused's conduct has thwarted the original order.
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