Jacqueline Fernandez's Approver Plea In Sukesh Chandrashekhar Case Faces ED's Opposition: Claim Of Being Victim Is...

Jacqueline

Fernandez had applied to become an approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. In the latest development, the Enforcement Directorate has replied to the plea and opposed it, arguing that the actress is not a minor participant in the case and has a significant beneficiary of the proceeds of crime. The ED said that she was an active participant in the money laundering scheme for which Sukesh has been jailed. According to a report, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Prashant Sharma of the Patiala House Court asked her to respond to the ED's response and listed the case for May 12.

Why did ED oppose Jacqueline Fernandez's approver plea?

As per Bar And Bench’s report, Jacqueline reportedly remained in 'regular and sustained’ contact with Sukesh despite knowing his criminal records. The ED further argued that making her an approver could ‘undermine the gravity of the offence she has committed’. According to the ED, the conman arranged all benefits, gifts and articles for the actress out of the proceeds of crime involved in the offence of money laundering.

The agency further stated that Jacqueline was aware of Sukesh’s activities and despite having ‘knowledge of his real identity and criminal background’, she continued her association with him and also accepted valuable benefits, ‘possess, receive, use and enjoy the proceeds of crime for herself and her family member’. “Her claim of being a 'victim' is therefore self-serving and contrary to the evidence on record,” ED said. ED also reported in court that Jacqueline hasn’t been supportive during the investigations, claiming she failed to make ‘full and truthful disclosures’ in her statements recorded on five different occasions.

What's the case all about?

Sukesh duped a woman named Aditi Singh of nearly Rs 200 crores over a period of seven to eight months, disguising himself as a high-level government official interacting with her on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Home Minister.

Jacqueline Fernandez's ED case

In 2025, the ED rejected Jacqueline’s petition seeking the quashing of the ECIR (equivalent to an FIR) and the supplementary chargesheet filed in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case. Through a plea, she stated that the evidence filed by the Directorate of Enforcement would prove that the Petitioner is an innocent victim of Sukesh's maliciously targeted attack. There is no indication that she had any involvement whatsoever in aiding him to launder his purportedly ill-gotten wealth. The actress cannot be prosecuted for the offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. ED opposed Jacqueline's plea in the Delhi High Court and said she continued to receive Sukesh's gifts despite being aware of his criminal background.