Delhi Court Seeks ED Response on Jacqueline Fernandez's Plea to Turn Approver
A Delhi court on Friday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its response to a plea by Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who is seeking to become an approver in a high-profile Rs 200-crore money laundering case. The case involves alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and has drawn significant attention due to its financial scale and celebrity connections.
Court Proceedings and Timeline
Special judge Prashant Sharma issued a formal notice to the federal investigation agency, setting the next hearing date for April 20. This development marks a crucial juncture in the ongoing legal proceedings, where Fernandez was recently named as an accused for the first time in a supplementary chargesheet filed by the ED.
The actor's legal journey in this matter has been complex. She previously challenged the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) before the Delhi High Court, which dismissed her petition on July 3 last year. Following this setback, the Supreme Court also declined to intervene in the high court's order, effectively allowing the investigation to proceed without obstruction.
Background of the Money Laundering Case
The case originates from serious allegations that Sukesh Chandrashekhar defrauded the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters, Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh, of approximately Rs 200 crore. According to investigators, Chandrashekhar, along with his wife Leena Paulose and other co-accused individuals, allegedly channeled the illicit proceeds through hawala networks and concealed the funds using a sophisticated web of shell companies.
Both Chandrashekhar and Paulose were arrested by Delhi Police, which invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in this case, indicating the serious nature of the alleged offenses.
Fernandez's Involvement and Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate has specifically alleged that Jacqueline Fernandez received gifts valued at up to Rs 7 crore from Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The agency has further claimed that the actor may have been aware of Chandrashekhar's criminal background, though Fernandez has consistently denied these allegations. She maintains that she had no involvement in any illegal activities and was completely unaware of any illicit source of funds.
Throughout the investigation, Fernandez has been summoned multiple times by the ED for questioning, highlighting her significant role in the probe.
Broader Legal Context
Apart from this particular case, Sukesh Chandrashekhar is facing multiple investigations across India in connection with similar allegations of financial fraud and money laundering. In a related development, another Delhi court acquitted Chandrashekhar on April 7 in a separate 2017 money laundering case. That case was connected to the AIADMK "two leaves" election symbol bribery scandal, demonstrating the wide-ranging nature of his legal troubles.
The court's decision to seek the ED's response on Fernandez's approver application represents a pivotal moment that could potentially reshape the trajectory of this complex financial investigation.
