Delhi High Court Rejects Jacqueline Fernandez’s Plea To Quash Rs 200 Cr Money Laundering Case | People News
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has faced a major setback as the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed her petition seeking to quash the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) R 200 crore money laundering complaint linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
According to reports, the court held that her challenge under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) lacked merit, paving the way for the case to proceed further.
The Housefull 5 actress had sought the quashing of the ED’s case against her, which relates to the ₹Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
What Did Jacqueline Fernandez’s Plea State?
In her plea, Jacqueline challenged the ED’s complaint and the second supplementary chargesheet filed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. She was named the tenth accused in the case.
Fernandez claimed that Sukesh “trapped her” and that she was merely a victim targeted by him. The plea asserted that she had not committed any offence under the PMLA and was not in possession of any proceeds of crime.
The ED counsel opposed her petition on the grounds of maintainability, stating that a special court had already taken cognisance of the prosecution complaint (chargesheet) and had found a prima facie case against her. The counsel also pointed out that the cognisance order itself was never challenged.
“There is absolutely no indication that she had any involvement whatsoever in aiding him to launder his purportedly ill-gotten wealth. Hence, she cannot be prosecuted for the offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA,” the plea argued.
It further stated that the complaint by Aditi Singh, wife of former Ranbaxy owner Shivinder Singh, did not allege any active aid or abetment by Jacqueline Fernandez in the offences committed by Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
Fernandez has previously denied having any personal or financial ties to Sukesh Chandrasekhar. She also denied being in a relationship with him and claimed he misled and tricked her.
Justice Anish Dayal delivered the judgment.
What’s the Case?
Jacqueline Fernandez is an accused in the money laundering case registered against Sukesh Chandrashekhar. She has appeared before the ED multiple times for questioning in connection with the investigation.
The Delhi Police had booked Chandrasekhar for allegedly duping the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters, Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh, of Rs 200 crore. He allegedly posed as a senior police official and falsely promised to secure the release of their husbands from jail.
Chandrasekhar and his wife Leena Paulose were arrested by Delhi Police along with others and are facing proceedings in the ED’s money laundering case. Multiple investigations are ongoing against him across the country.
