In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside a Delhi High Court order that had granted interim bail to two SFIO suspects (Rahul Modi and Mukesh Modi) arrested in a corporate fraud investigation. The core issue was whether the arrest remained lawful after the three-month investigation period specified in the initial government order had expired. The Court held that the time stipulation is merely directory, not mandatory: SFIO's power to investigate and arrest persists until the final investigation report is submitted, regardless of any prescribed deadline. Additionally, the Court ruled that a valid remand order by a competent magistrate cannot be challenged via habeas corpus petition; the legality of detention must be assessed at the date of the petition's hearing, not initiation. The Court thus restored the accused to custody pending proper trial procedures.
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