SC To Hear Jacqueline Fernandez's Plea Against Charges In Rs 200-Cr Money Laundering Case On Thursday

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi court’s order directing that charges be framed against her in the Rs 200-crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The plea is scheduled to come up for hearing on Thursday.

The move follows a Delhi court’s decision last month to frame charges against Fernandez, Chandrasekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paul and several others, clearing the way for trial proceedings in the case arising from the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigation.

ED Claims Jacqueline Received Gifts From Chandrasekhar 

The ED has alleged that Jacqueline remained in contact with Chandrasekhar despite knowing about his criminal background and accepted luxury

gifts that were allegedly routed through intermediary Pinky Irani. According to the agency, the gifts were purchased using money generated from an extortion racket allegedly operated by Chandrasekhar from prison.

Meanwhile, the actor has denied the allegations and maintained that she had no knowledge of any illegal source of funds behind the gifts she received.

Delhi Court Paves Way For Trails To Begin

The trial court’s order relates to both the ED’s money laundering case and a parallel criminal case initially registered by the Delhi Police Special Cell and later transferred to the Economic Offences Wing.

Investigators allege that Chandrasekhar headed an organised criminal syndicate from jail, posing as senior government officials and using spoofed calls, fake identities and encrypted communication platforms to deceive victims. The case stems from a complaint filed by businesswoman Aditi Singh, wife of former Ranbaxy promoter Shivinder Singh, who alleged that she and her family were duped of nearly Rs 217 crore by individuals impersonating top government functionaries.

Authorities claim Chandrasekhar generated more than Rs 200 crore through extortion, cheating and impersonation before allegedly laundering the proceeds through a network of associates. He was arrested by the Delhi Police in 2017 and has since faced multiple criminal investigations.