The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez to withdraw her petition challenging a Delhi court order that framed charges against her in a money laundering case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Background of the Case
Fernandez had approached the apex court after a Delhi court on May 30 framed charges against her, alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, and 15 others in the case. The ED had accused Fernandez of receiving proceeds of crime from Chandrasekhar, who is currently in jail on charges of extortion and money laundering.
The actor had sought to quash the charges, arguing that she was a victim of Chandrasekhar's fraud and had no knowledge of the source of the gifts she received.
Court Proceedings
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh heard the matter. Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Fernandez, submitted that the petitioner wished to withdraw the plea. The court allowed the withdrawal without imposing any costs.
The Supreme Court did not delve into the merits of the case. The withdrawal means the trial will proceed before the Delhi court. The ED had opposed the plea, stating that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.
Impact and Next Steps
With the withdrawal, Fernandez will now have to face the trial in the Delhi court. The case is part of a larger investigation into Chandrasekhar's alleged fraud and money laundering operations. The ED has claimed that Fernandez received expensive gifts, including a luxury car and jewelry, from Chandrasekhar, which were proceeds of crime.
Fernandez has maintained that she was unaware of the criminal background of Chandrasekhar and had cooperated with the investigation. The trial is expected to commence shortly.
