STATE OF MAHARASHTRA vs MRS. BHARTI CHANDMAL VARMA @ AYESH KHAN

The Supreme Court held that the 90-day period for filing a charge sheet under Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure must be calculated from the date of the respondent's production before the magistrate, which was 2.4.2001. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision to grant bail to Ayesha Khan, as the charge sheet was not filed within the stipulated time, thus entitling her to bail under the proviso to Section 167(2). The ruling clarified the interpretation of the time frame for detention in custody pending investigation under the Code.