Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her plea seeking to turn approver in the ongoing Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged swindler Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The application, filed last month, was withdrawn in Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Tuesday.
Jacqueline Fernandez withdraws plea to become approver in Rs 200 crore Sukesh Chandrashekhar money laundering case
The development came soon after the Enforcement Directorate opposed the actor’s plea before Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma. In its reply submitted to the court, the agency argued that Jacqueline had maintained constant communication with Sukesh even after she was allegedly aware of his criminal history.
According to the ED, the actor continued to receive expensive gifts, luxury items and other benefits which were allegedly derived from the proceeds of the money laundering investigation. The agency reportedly informed the court that her lengthy conversations with Sukesh through multiple communication channels weakened her claim of being an unknowing or innocent participant in the case.
The ED further said in its plea that Jacqueline and some of her family members allegedly continued to enjoy the benefits derived from the proceeds of crime. The agency claimed that this reflected a conscious disregard for the origin of the funds and suggested active participation in the laundering process.
Jacqueline Fernandez was earlier named as a co-accused in the case after investigators alleged that she had accepted gifts purchased using money linked to the alleged Rs 200 crore extortion racket. Sukesh Chandrashekhar is accused of extorting money from Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh.
The money laundering investigation has been initiated from a separate case registered by the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in August 2022. Sukesh allegedly impersonated a senior government official, claiming to be the Union Law Secretary, while contacting Aditi Singh with promises of securing bail for her jailed husband.
Under Indian criminal law, an accused person who agrees to cooperate with the prosecution and testify in a case can seek pardon from the court and become a government witness under Section 306 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Before filing its detailed written response, the ED had reportedly described Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea as “vague” during earlier court proceedings.
