Jacqueline Fernandez Withdraws Plea in Money Laundering Case
Jacqueline Fernandez has decided to withdraw her request to become an approver in the ongoing money laundering case worth Rs 200 crore, which is tied to the alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. This decision was made on Tuesday in front of the Patiala House Court in Delhi, just a month after her application was submitted.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed her plea, stating that she had continued to communicate with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal background. The agency pointed out that Jacqueline received expensive gifts and luxury items that were allegedly linked to the money laundering investigation, suggesting that her long-standing interaction with him compromised her claim of innocence.
Reports indicate that the ED claimed Jacqueline and her family benefited from the money that was obtained through illegal means. This raised concerns about her awareness of where the funds originated and suggested potential involvement in the laundering process.
Jacqueline was previously named a co-accused in this case after it was alleged that she accepted gifts bought with money related to a Rs 200 crore extortion scheme. Sukesh Chandrashekhar is accused of extorting this money from Aditi Singh, the wife of a former healthcare businessman.
This investigation is part of a larger probe initiated by the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police in August 2022. Sukesh is alleged to have impersonated a high-ranking government official while contacting Aditi Singh, making false promises about securing bail for her jailed husband.
Under Indian law, a defendant may seek forgiveness from the court and can become an approver if they agree to assist the prosecution, as laid out in Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Before the ED’s detailed response, the agency had previously described Jacqueline’s plea as “vague” during earlier hearings.
